Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
University Park, Pennsylvania · Public, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$32,875
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
86.1%
Admission rate
61%
Undergrad size
42,284
In-state tuition
$20,644
Out-of-state tuition
$41,790
Cost of attendance
$39,694
Median earnings (10y)
$63,435
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,337
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 92.6%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
27 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by stem (38%), business (19%), humanities & arts (16%).
- STEM38%
- Health4%
- Business19%
- Humanities & arts16%
- Social sciences15%
- Trades & services9%
- Business18.6%~7,852 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Engineering13.9%~5,886 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Computer science11.9%~5,053 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communication7.5%~3,159 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences6.5%~2,727 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~2,677 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Psychology4.4%~1,852 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~1,628 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Education3.7%~1,560 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Agriculture3.5%~1,459 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~1,366 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~1,214 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~1,095 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~1,070 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~841 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics1.7%~723 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Architecture0.8%~334 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~330 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~292 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English0.6%~258 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History0.5%~207 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~203 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~144 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts0.3%~140 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Science tech0.2%~97 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~97 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Engineering tech0.1%~25 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 1,026 | $61,200 | $25,375 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor's | 937 | $60,548 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 873 | $29,652 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 853 | $73,647 | $26,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 725 | $45,928 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 685 | $65,376 | $27,000 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor's | 679 | $26,833 | $26,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 642 | $42,918 | $24,693 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 592 | $51,414 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 536 | $39,223 | $26,263 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor's | 510 | $65,214 | $26,917 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Undergraduate certificate | 501 | — | $24,950 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 495 | $28,620 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 489 | $51,228 | $26,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor's | 476 | $48,779 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 409 | $34,135 | $26,000 |
| Law. | First professional | 404 | $54,072 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 388 | $30,320 | $27,000 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor's | 365 | $33,090 | $25,000 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master's | 337 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor's | 336 | $67,461 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 329 | $37,482 | $26,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Undergraduate certificate | 325 | — | $27,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 321 | $52,010 | $25,000 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 311 | $70,502 | $26,831 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Bachelor's | 310 | — | $24,937 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor's | 309 | $61,387 | $26,838 |
| Medicine. | First professional | 307 | $59,741 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master's | 291 | $63,873 | — |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor's | 288 | $69,173 | $25,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor's | 277 | $39,513 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 249 | $67,759 | $27,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 248 | $23,662 | $25,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor's | 244 | $45,612 | $24,500 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. | Bachelor's | 238 | $68,716 | $26,969 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 208 | $32,077 | $25,875 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor's | 199 | $45,122 | $26,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 197 | $55,595 | $24,164 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master's | 195 | $100,372 | — |
| Real Estate. | Undergraduate certificate | 192 | — | $25,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a very large institution located in University Park, Pennsylvania, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 42,284 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Engineering, Computer science.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $32,875 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $20,644 for in-state students and $41,790 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $39,694 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 86.1%, a strong completion outcome. 92.6% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $63,435 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus confers degrees and certificates across 27 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Engineering, Computer science. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by stem (38% of credentials), business (19% of credentials), humanities & arts (16% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus accepts 61% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,337.
Location & campus
Set in University Park, Pennsylvania (city), Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus draws students from across Pennsylvania and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Q.How much does Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus cost?
The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $32,875 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $39,694.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has a 6-year graduation rate of 86.1% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus admits 61% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduate earns $63,435 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
Published tuition is $20,644 in-state and $41,790 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus located?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is located in University Park, Pennsylvania (ZIP 16802).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus at their official website.