Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Last updated: April 13, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public institution located in University Park, PA, offering 215 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. The institution maintains a strong graduation rate of 85.68%, demonstrating a commitment to student success and completion.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $20,234
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $32,598 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: 54.22% Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 41,862 N/A% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 85.68%
  • Average SAT Score: 1316

Costs

Tuition Costs

$20,234
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was $20,234.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$32,598
2024 Value

In 2024 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $32,598.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$130,392 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$32,598 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$80,936 4-Year In-State Tuition

$160,752 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition

Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.

4-year total cost breakdown for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.

Financial Aid by Income Level

13.27% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

39.86% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

54.22% Acceptance Rate

This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.

Acceptance rate compared to national average.

Test Scores

SAT Average: 1316

Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.

Academic Requirements

Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7

Estimated Median GPA: 3.60

Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.

Estimated GPA and test score ranges.

Enrollment

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

N/A% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in 2024 is 41,862 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

N/A%
2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.

Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

70.36% 100% Completion Time

85.68% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 70.36% of students graduating from Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

ROI & Programs

Financial value and program information for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.

Return on Investment

$25,000 Median Student Debt

$63,435 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)

39.41% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio

386.49% Return on Investment

3.9 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.

Top Programs by Completions

10 Programs Reporting Data

Finance, General: 533 completions

General Psychology: 512 completions

Graphic Communications: 465 completions

Mechanical Engineering: 450 completions

Computer Science - 11.0401: 439 completions

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services: 434 completions

Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 393 completions

General Economics: 362 completions

CIP 52.0301: 358 completions

Other/Unknown Programs: 14,594 completions

Most popular programs at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.

Employment Outcomes

$55,620 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)

$60,370 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)

$63,435 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)

Earnings outcomes for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates.

About

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public institution located in University Park, PA, offering 215 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 41,862 students. The admission rate is 54.22%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1316. The institution maintains a 85.68% graduation rate. Approximately 13.27% of students receive Pell Grants.

Institution Type

Public

Location

University Park, PA 16802-1503

Region: Mid East

Insights and Analysis

Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 85.68% graduation rate, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.

Diverse Program Offerings: With over 215 distinct degree programs, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

  • College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
    • Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
    • Employment and wage data by occupation
    • Latest data: May 2024
    • Source: bls.gov/oes
  • O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
    • Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
    • Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
    • Source: onetcenter.org
  • IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
    • Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
  • Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
    • Demographic and workforce data
    • Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
    • Source: census.gov/acs

Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.

Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.

Methodology

Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.

All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.