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Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus

201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802

Website: Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus

Photos:

Old Main, the main administrative building at Penn State University Park, at night.
Old Main, the main administrative building at Penn State University Park, at night.
[source]
theU.com - Penn State: "Admissions"
[source]

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus School Description

Penn State is a multi-campus public research university that improves the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service.

Our instructional mission includes undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing and distance education informed by scholarship and research.

Our research, scholarship, and creative activities promote human and economic development through the expansion of knowledge and its applications in the natural and applied sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, and professions. As Pennsylvania's land-grant university, we also hold a unique responsibility to provide access, outreach, and public service to support the citizens of the Commonwealth and beyond. We engage in collaborative activities with industrial, educational, and agricultural partners here and abroad to generate, disseminate, integrate, and apply knowledge.

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Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus

From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

The Pennsylvania State University (commonly known as Penn State) is a state-related, land-grant, space grant public research university located in State College, Pennsylvania, United States. The University has 24 campuses throughout the state of Pennsylvania, including a virtual World Campus, with University Park being its largest campus. Penn State University Park (commonly referred to as the "Main Campus") is ranked in the top 15 nationally for public universities and is regarded as a Public Ivy. The enrollment at the Penn State University Park campus is 43,252 with a total enrollment of over 84,000 across its 24 campuses, placing it among the ten largest public universities in the United States. Penn State offers more than 160 majors and administers a $1.6 billion (USD) endowment.

History

Early years

Penn State was founded as a degree-granting institution on February 22, 1855 by act P.L. 46, No. 50 of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania. Centre County became the home of the new school when James Irvin of Bellefonte donated of land—the first of the University would eventually acquire. In 1862, the school's name was changed to the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania, and with the passage of the Morrill Land-Grant Act, Pennsylvania selected the school in 1863 to be the state's sole land grant college. In the following years, enrollment fell as the school tried to balance purely agricultural studies with a more classic education, falling to 64 undergraduates in 1875, a year after the school's name changed once again to the Pennsylvania State College.

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Read the full entry on Wikipedia

Quick Facts

Chance of Admission:
Location:
Mid-Atlantic
Setting:
Large Town Setting
Type:
Public
Size:
Very Large (+10,000 Undergrad)
Mascot:
Nittany Lions
Nicknames:
PSU, Penn State

Students & Campus Life

Undergraduate Enrollment:
34,637
On Campus Housing:
Available
Full Time Students:
99%
Athletic Programs:
Available
More Students & Campus Life

Expenses

Average Tuition:
$ 23,712
Students Receiving Aid:
77%
More Expenses & Financial Aid

Admissions

Application Fee:
$ 50
Selectivity:
Highly Selective
More Admissions

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus Degree Programs

Associate Degree Programs

Learn more about Associate Degree Programs

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Learn more about Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Master’s Degree Programs

Learn more about Master’s Degree Programs

Certificate Programs

Learn more about Certificate Programs

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus Students & Campus Life

General

Full-Time vs. Part-Time
Full-Time 99%
Part-Time 1%
Men vs. Women
Men 52%
Women 48%
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian 86%
Asian 5%
African-American 4%
Hispanic 3%
Other 2%

Geography

In State vs. Out-of-State
In-State 67%
Out-of-State 33%
Top States for Incoming Freshman
Pennsylvania 67%
New Jersey 11%
New York 6%
Maryland 3%
Virginia 1%
Percent of Students International: 7%

Housing

On-Campus Housing Available: Yes
Percent of Students Living On-Campus: 34%
Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: Yes

Athletics

Member of: NAA, NCAA
Sports Include: Football (Big Ten Conference)
Basketball (Big Ten Conference)
Baseball (Big Ten Conference)
Track (Big Ten Conference)

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus Expenses (Tuition & Fees)

Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) In-State Out-of-State  
Published Tuition and Fees:
 $ 12,844 $ 23,712  
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 12,284 $ 23,152  
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 560 $ 560  
Financial Aid Avg. Amount Received % of Students Receiving Aid  
Federal Grants:
 $ 3,879 15%  
State and Local Grants:
 $ 3,307 21%  
Institutional Grants:
 $ 4,903 32%  
Student Loans:
 $ 4,544 63%  
Any Aid:
   77%  

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus Admissions

Acceptance Rate: 58% (Highly Selective)
Test Scores  
SAT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting SAT Scores: 90%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Verbal: 520, Math: 560
Top 75th Percentile: Verbal: 620, Math: 660
ACT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting ACT Scores: 8%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Composite: 23, Verbal: 23, Math: 23
Top 75th Percentile: Composite: 28, Verbal: 29, Math: 29

Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)

Application Fee: $ 50.00
Formal Demonstration of Competencies: Not Required
High School Diploma or Equivalent: Recommended
High School GPA: Required
High School Rank: Recommended
High School Record: Required
Recommendations: Not Required
TOEFL: Required
Test Scores: Required

College Advice on Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus

Yahoo
Jaclyn
Jaclyn

Question: There are so many different Penn State campuses, which ones are the best academically?

Which Penn State is in the same league as New Brunswick Rutgers? (not Camden or Newark)
32 months ago
Tracey O
Tracey O

Best Answer

university college i would have to assume. however, you're going to wind up there anyway (that's their 2+2 plan, you start out at one campus and you finish your degree at Upark) now your interests is what determins which campus you want to start at. lets say you want a SMALL campus, then the wilkes burr campus may be for you, or if you want a suburban area you might want berks. in some cases, the campuses have their own set of majors that would allow you to spend all four years there... so if that's what you're lookin for then you can choose a campus THAT way. i would suggest you order their veiwbook (that's where i get al my info from) it's very informative... and it have pretty bright colors lol
Nick K
Nick K

Question: what do you think about colleges?

I’m a high school senior ( this fall ) and go to a catholic high school in Fairfield county, Connecticut. I have moderate to strong SAT scores (540 - writing, 580 - reading, 690 - math, subject tests: math 1 - 660, Biology - Ecology - 630, will be taking math 1 again and math 2 and Italian in the fall and planning to study really hard for them) Also taking the regular SATs again tin the fall. I am Indian (from India). I have great recommendations. My career GPA (freshman, sophomore, junior) is 93.15, but my GPA junior year is 95.6. I am taking all honors/college level classes this year including AP Calc AB and plan to study really hard and do good this entire year. I do a lot of extracurriculars. And overall I think I’m a good person and student? My top college choices are ( most important to least important): First Choice - Cornell, tie for second - penn state, SUNY - Oswego, Rutgers, Lydon State Which ones do you think I could get into? Especially your comments on Co
32 months ago
LaLa
LaLa

Best Answer

You look like a great catch - Penn State and Cornell are great options...one thought though - don't waste your time on the Math I subject test....most schools want the level 2 math - and if you take it, you don't need the level 1. You can't submit two math subject tests anyway - so don't bother retaking it.
Tori
Tori

Question: Looking For Colleges Which are Well Known for their Business/Economics Program- Please Help?

I think I've decided to major in Business, Economics, etc. because I want to be a stock broker/research analyst, etc. My question is: Which colleges should I look at? I want the college to be in any of the following states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, or maybe Pennsylvania. I have found many colleges in those states which offer the majors I mentioned above, but I am looking for suggestions. =) Thank you!
34 months ago
skip742
skip742

Best Answer

Penn State is probably your best bet. Basically, at this time, getting some experiential learning with your academics is critical for a good analyst position. Thus, you should look for a school that not only has classes in your subject area, but also has a student-managed investment fund as part of the curriculum. Penn State and Texas Christian were two of the first in the nation. Today, there are about 200 such funds. I know you can also find them at Cornell, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Washington College in Maryland (I direct the program at the latter school, which is just an hour south of Pennsylvania, so I'm a little biased). Villanova is another option, and I know they have funded their program nicely too. I don't know of any such programs in New England, but I'd be surprised if there weren't any. I think NYU has such a program, but I don't know much about it. A side thought: the field you probably want to focus on is Finance, and the growth field in Investments these days is for research analysts and for investment advisors. Stock brokers are in decline, and by the time you come out and are looking for jobs, there probably won't be as many.
jessica
jessica

Question: are cars allowed for first year students at penn state @ university park?

35 months ago
Enigma Walking
Enigm...

Best Answer

It depends of if you live on campus or off campus. If you life off campus you have to be able to go to school. If you live on campus, sorry until you have 28 credit hours you have to walk. I looked it up and freshman can live off campus (second link). "Q: What if I do not want to live in on-campus housing? A: All students have the option of living in off-campus (privately owned and operated) housing. Freshman are not required to live on-campus. A number of landlords offer housing options adjacent to and very near campus. Applicants who are interested in more information on off-campus housing can refer to the Off-Campus Housing Web site. "
EricaG
EricaG

Question: Help with Penn State University?

Im a highschool junior doing some pre college info, and Im looking into Penn State, ( I want to be a doctor), and I was wondering, where do you even start at Penn State they have over 20 campus' and then university park, like what campus should i start with and can i transfer to University Park, and what should my major be and what campus should i start with? Thanks
37 months ago
nbasixers_3
nbasi...

Best Answer

You can pick so many majors for undergrad and PSU has over 160 majors to chose..Obviously something in the med field.. as for where to start that is up to you, it is much harder to start at Upark b/c only a select few get accepted to start at main. Despite that I now feel it is a much smarter choice to start at an alternate location because it saves you some money along with preparing you for being a Upark. The way Penn State is set up is...you may start at any of their locations and complete the first two years at that that specific location and then for the final two years you automatically go to Upark to finish up your schooling. Penn State is a great choice and one of the best colleges around..I would definitely recommend you to go to PSU and consider looking into one of the satellite campuses for the first two years bc it can be a lot to go right to Upark with over 45,000 kids.. WE ARE!!!
Mind*Soul
Mind*Soul

Question: What are my chances of getting into Northeastern or Penn State?

I'm a sophomore at a private Catholic school. My GPA is currently 3.5 and it was 2.8 in freshman year. All my classes have always been college prepatory and I've never done any extracurricular activities. What are my chances of getting into colleges like Northeastern University or Penn State University? What do I need to do to improve my chances?
37 months ago
Rama_HK
Rama_HK

Best Answer

you need to show Penn state/northeastern what they gain by having you as a student. You have to standout a GPA of 3.5 is great but lots of kids applying to those schools have that!First off contact some students from ur school who have got into those schools.Find out what they did- what activities curricular and otherwise they participated in. Work hard to get a good SAT score. Then check out the profs who u want to study under- read up what they are doing- if it is business or history - see what kind of work they are doing- then see if you can get a summer opportunity with them Next see if there is a summer course in either univ for HS rising juniors and seniors- You don't have to do extra curricular just for getting into univ; but you need to develop as a whole person . It is time to start giving back to your community- do some community service- this will help the socio emotional development. check out the web see site included
MrAmazing
MrAmazing

Question: Should I go to Penn State or Ohio State?

I am from Pennsylvania and I know a lot of people who are going to PSU. But based on my first visits to each campus, I seem to like OSU more. I like the fact that OSU is close to a large city. I'm not sure what to do based on academic rankings. Penn State is ranked higher overall, but Ohio State is ranked higher in my intended major (Political Science). Also, I'm from Philadelphia so Penn State is much closer to home. But the weather in Columbus, Ohio is more similiar to what I am used to.
39 months ago
regerugged
reger...

Best Answer

Both are good schools. I was accepted at PSU and at OSU. I am a PA resident. The tuition and room & board costs at PSU were less than half the costs at OSU. For me, that was the deciding factor. I enjoyed my time at PSU. There was always something, besides classes and studying, going on somewhere on campus. On occassion, the winter weather can get real nasty in State College, however. But there is a nearby ski resort.
taliyah_chante
taliyah...

Question: Is there anyone out there that are having problems with Penn State?

I attend Penn State the McKeesport campus and I seem to be having a lot of problems. This my 3rd semester going into my 4th and I'm having problems with the adults here as well as some of the students. And I know it's not me and that I'm fair when it's appropriate. But what I don't understand is the fact that I've been so mistreated and I've dont nothing wrong! I have a new roommate that driving crazy coming in all hours of the night and she smells and leaves things a mess!! And I've reported her to many administrators and I've gotten no results and I amseriously at the pint of wanting to tranfer to a new school. Can you tell me if you have or have had the same problems as me?
39 months ago
pinkpris1001
pinkp...

Best Answer

I attend Penn State Harrisburg, and it has been an awful experience. On numerous occasions, I have been told the the wrong things. The financial aid office is incompetent and has sent me in the wrong direction, several times (since I was first admitted this past spring). As well the advisers only look for a quick fix, especially when it comes to anything to do with your major. Another issue I have had with PSU Harrisburg, is the lack of professors that speak English. All in all, I have been disappointed with PSU and I hope to transfer to another University for my last two years.
samii182
samii182

Question: penn state?

is there anywhere to do improv or comedy around penn state? Any local open mic stand-up nights? the entire state college area even...and by the way is it by hershey, or would i be better off going to Pitt since its in a city and probably has better comedy scenes?
43 months ago
lexie
lexie

Best Answer

Several bars in town do have open mike nights, however they are usually music related. (Look in Venues in the Thursday Daily Collegian to see what bars are having each weekend.) Your best bet might be to keep an eye on 'Hub Late Nite'. They will sometimes have small shows such as comedians, maybe you can ask to be an opener. Pittsburgh might be a better option. There is a comdey club at the waterfront, however I'm not sure if they do open mike.
psu?
psu?

Question: Why should I go to Penn State (University Park)?

What are the academic advantages? What are the career adavntages? Are internships that important? Is an alumni association more important? Are large class sizes threatening the education I recieve?
49 months ago
TMX23
TMX23

Best Answer

Penn State is the greatest school in the country. Large classes are not a problem, you can be as active in the class as you want, and there are labs and small groups in each class. It has thousands of insanely hot girls. It has a great academic track record. The football and Joe Pa are the best. There are over 30 bars, 59 fraternitys, and thousands of apartments all within a 7 block radius. The city of State College has every culteral aspect you could want from malls, to concerts, and sports. Yet, in just 15 miniutes, you can be in the middle of the beautiful country side hiking or camping. Did I mention the hot chicks? HUGE Parties. Rated #1 party school by Playboy and Wall St Journal. Their colors are Blue and White. Oh yeah, and I went there! WE ARE! PENN STATE! The do have the largest alumni assoc in the world which I am a lifetime member of. I got an internship with the Philladelphia 76ers through PSU!

Photos

  • Old Main, the main administrative building at Penn State University Park, at night.
    Old Main, the main administrative building at Penn State University Park, at night. [source]
  • The Forum Building, a classroom building with four 300+ capacity classrooms.
    The Forum Building, a classroom building with four 300+ capacity classrooms. [source]
  • A residence hall in West Halls
    A residence hall in West Halls [source]
  • Penn State's student union building, the HUB Robeson Center.
    Penn State's student union building, the HUB Robeson Center. [source]
  • Former President's house, now adjoined to the Hintz Alumni Center
    Former President's house, now adjoined to the Hintz Alumni Center [source]
  • Old Main
    Old Main [source]
  • The Lion Shrine at University Park
    The Lion Shrine at University Park [source]
  • Racial composition of student enrollment at Penn State as of fall 2006.
    Racial composition of student enrollment at Penn State as of fall 2006. [source]

Videos

  • theU.com - Penn State: "Admissions"
  • theU.com - Penn State: "Intro"
  • theU.com - Penn State: "Academics"
  • theU.com - Penn State: "The Crowd"
  • theU.com - Penn State: "The Setting"
  • theU.com - Penn State: "The Scene"
  • theU.com - Penn State: "The Food"
  • theU.com - Penn State: "The Shelter"
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Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus
University Park, PA 16802
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