Pennsylvania State University, widely known as Penn State, is a public land-grant research university headquartered at University Park in central Pennsylvania, with 20 undergraduate campuses across the state. The University Park flagship holds #92 in QS World University Rankings 2027, its strongest global placement to date.
Penn State delivers over 300 English-medium degree programs spanning engineering, business, computing, communications, life sciences, and the humanities. Indian applicants enter through Fall and Spring intakes across the Fox Graduate School, Smeal College of Business, and the College of Engineering, among other units. The current cohort includes 8,800+ international students from more than 150 countries, giving Indian students a large ready-made peer network. See our MS universities in USA guide for context on how Penn State compares within the country.
- QS World Ranking 2027: #92 globally
- Acceptance Rate: 55% (estimated)
- Intakes: Fall (August) and Spring (January)
- PG Tuition: USD 46,796 per year (INR 44.5 lakh)
- International Students: 8,800+ from 150+ countries
- Total Annual Cost of Study: USD 72,212 (INR 68.7 lakh)
Also Check: MS Universities in USA
Penn State bills Indian students at the non-Pennsylvania resident tuition band, with limited need-based tuition grants such as SIGIA reducing that gap. F-1 graduates qualify for 12-month OPT plus a 24-month STEM extension for eligible science and engineering programs, subject to study in USA visa rules.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 95.16 as of August 2026
Admission Status: Closing Soon (Spring 2027 intake). Spring 2027 applications for most Fox Graduate School programs close on 01 September 2026, roughly four weeks from today. Fall 2027 applications for the same programs remain open until 15 December 2026, giving Indian applicants a fuller window to complete WES credential verification and English-test scores. Undergraduate applicants at University Park follow a rolling timeline with a 01 November 2026 priority date for Fall 2027 entry.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Pennsylvania State University 2027
- Pennsylvania State University Admission 2027
- Pennsylvania State University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Pennsylvania State University Acceptance Rate 2027
- Pennsylvania State University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Pennsylvania State University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Pennsylvania State University Scholarships 2027
- Pennsylvania State University Rankings 2027
- Pennsylvania State University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Pennsylvania State University vs Peer Universities
- Pennsylvania State University FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Pennsylvania State University 2027
Penn State charges tuition at the non-Pennsylvania resident band for Indian applicants, billed per semester at University Park. The figures below reflect 2025-26 published tuition; the Board of Trustees approved a 4% increase for out-of-state students for the 2026-27 cycle, so 2027 intakes should confirm final rates on the official fee schedule.
Penn State Fees for Master’s Programs at Pennsylvania State University 2027
The following table lists the ten most popular PG programs chosen by Indian applicants, with annual tuition in USD and INR. Most MS and M.Eng programs run for two years, while MBA and specialised finance programs vary in duration.
| Program | Total Fee (USD/year) | Total Fee (INR lakh/year) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Computer Science and Engineering | 46,900 | 44.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended); GRE required |
| Master of Business Administration | 55,900 | 53.2 lakh | Bachelor’s with 70% or CGPA 7/10 (recommended); GMAT recommended |
| Master’s in Business Analytics | 46,900 | 44.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 70% or CGPA 7/10 (recommended) |
| Master of Finance | 46,900 | 44.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 70% or CGPA 7/10 (recommended) |
| M.Eng Aerospace Engineering | 46,900 | 44.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended); GRE required |
| MS Industrial Engineering | 46,900 | 44.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Biotechnology | 46,900 | 44.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Energy and Mineral Engineering | 46,900 | 44.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Psychology | 46,900 | 44.6 lakh | Bachelor’s with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended) |
| Master of Accounting | 39,300 | 37.4 lakh | Bachelor’s with 70% or CGPA 7/10 (recommended) |
[Source: Pennsylvania State University tuition schedule 2025-26; 4% out-of-state increase confirmed for 2026-27]
Penn State Fees for Bachelor’s Programs at Pennsylvania State University 2027
Undergraduate programs at University Park run for four years; the figures below show annual non-resident tuition in USD and INR. Total four-year outlay lands near INR 167 lakh at current rates.
| Program | Total Fee (USD/year) | Total Fee (INR lakh/year) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS Computer Science | 44,000 | 41.9 lakh | Class 12 with 80% or higher (recommended) |
| BS Mechanical Engineering | 44,000 | 41.9 lakh | Class 12 with 80% or higher (recommended) |
| BS Aerospace Engineering | 44,000 | 41.9 lakh | Class 12 with 80% or higher (recommended) |
| BS Kinesiology | 44,000 | 41.9 lakh | Class 12 with 75% or higher (recommended) |
| BA General Arts and Sciences | 44,000 | 41.9 lakh | Class 12 with 75% or higher (recommended) |
Insider note: Indian applicants concentrate heavily in MS Computer Science and Engineering, MS Industrial Engineering, and the Smeal MBA at Penn State; MS Biotechnology and MS Energy and Mineral Engineering see strong Indian representation but with smaller cohorts.
Read More: Pennsylvania State University Fees and Cost of Living Guide
Pennsylvania State University Admission 2027
Penn State admits international graduate students into two intakes — Fall (August) and Spring (January) — with Fall being the primary window for Indian applicants across engineering, business, and computing programs.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 PG application deadline | 01 September 2026 | Fewer programs open than Fall; verify per department at the Fox Graduate School |
| Fall 2027 PG application deadline | 15 December 2026 | Primary intake for Indian applicants; some programs have earlier internal deadlines |
| Fall 2027 UG priority deadline | 01 November 2026 | Rolling admission continues thereafter; earlier applicants receive earlier decisions |
| Credential verification (WES ICAP) | Start 6 to 8 weeks before deadline | Required by most graduate programs; upload to the applicant portal |
| Fall 2027 programme start | Late August 2027 | International student orientation runs approximately 7 days before classes |
[Source: Penn State Fox Graduate School and departmental admission pages, 2026]
Planning note: Indian applicants targeting Fall 2027 at Penn State should schedule TOEFL or IELTS by August 2026, order WES ICAP evaluation by early October 2026, and finalise Statement of Purpose drafts by mid-November 2026 to comfortably clear the 15 December 2026 window.
Read More: Pennsylvania State University Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Pennsylvania State University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Indian applicants need a four-year Bachelor’s degree with strong academics, English proficiency scores, and WES-evaluated transcripts for most Fox Graduate School programs.
- PG academic eligibility: Four-year Bachelor’s with a minimum 3.00/4.00 GPA, equivalent to 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 for Indian applicants; competitive programs expect 70% or higher.
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 80 with 19 on speaking, or IELTS Academic 6.5, or TOEFL PBT combined score of 60 across three sections.
- Credential verification: WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation of Indian Bachelor’s transcripts, typically taking 4 to 6 weeks.
- Standardised tests: GRE required for most engineering and science programs; GMAT recommended for Smeal MBA; waivers available for selected work-experienced applicants.
- UG academic eligibility: Class 12 with strong academic performance; recommended 80% or higher for competitive STEM programs and 75% for arts and general programs.
- English proficiency (UG): TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.5; SAT is test-optional for Fall 2027 admission.
Note: IELTS waivers are available to Indian applicants whose entire Bachelor’s degree was taught in English at a recognised Indian institution; supporting letters from the university registrar must be uploaded during application.
Pennsylvania State University Acceptance Rate 2027
Penn State University Park does not publish a single overall acceptance rate for internationals, but third-party datasets place the overall undergraduate rate at 55% (estimated), with international applicants reportedly admitted at a slightly higher rate for Fall 2025.
| Year | Acceptance Rate (Overall UG) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 (Class of 2029) | 55% (estimated) | Broadly stable |
| Fall 2024 (Class of 2028) | 60.5% (estimated) | Slightly higher |
Graduate acceptance varies sharply by department — Smeal MBA and Computer Science are more competitive, while some MS Energy and Mineral Engineering tracks admit a higher share of qualified international applicants.
Reality check: An Indian applicant with 70% Bachelor’s, 320+ GRE, and clear research alignment has a realistic shot at most Penn State MS programs; the university values profile fit over grade ceilings, so a strong Statement of Purpose is decisive.
Read More: Universities in USA
Pennsylvania State University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Indian graduate students at Penn State University Park should budget around USD 72,000 to USD 76,000 (INR 68.5 lakh to INR 72.3 lakh) per year, covering tuition, mandatory fees, and full living expenses in State College, Pennsylvania.
Penn State Fees for Indian Students at Pennsylvania State University 2027
Tuition varies by program level and college; the ranges below use published 2025-26 rates, with the 4% out-of-state increase already approved for 2026-27.
| Program Level | Annual Tuition (USD) | Annual Tuition (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (non-resident) | 42,600 to 44,000 | 40.5 to 41.9 lakh |
| Graduate (MS and M.Eng) | 44,996 to 46,899 | 42.8 to 44.6 lakh |
| Smeal MBA and specialised business | 55,900 and above | 53.2 lakh and above |
[Source: Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees 2026-27 tuition schedule approval]
Monthly Cost of Living in State College at Pennsylvania State University
Penn State’s School of International Affairs publishes an official cost estimate; the monthly figures below convert those annual line items using the current FX rate.
| Expense Category | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (on or near campus) | 995 | INR 94,684 |
| Food and meals | 530 | INR 50,435 |
| Transportation (CATA is free for students) | 180 | INR 17,129 |
| Books and supplies | 100 | INR 9,516 |
| Personal and miscellaneous | 265 | INR 25,217 |
| Total Monthly | 2,070 | INR 1.97 lakh |
| Total Annual (excluding insurance) | 24,840 | INR 23.6 lakh |
[Source: Penn State School of International Affairs official cost estimate 2025-26]
Health insurance under the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) adds approximately USD 4,408 (INR 4.2 lakh) per year and is mandatory for all F-1 visa holders.
Insider note: Off-campus rent in State College sits in the USD 700 to USD 1,300 (INR 66,600 to INR 1.24 lakh) monthly band; sharing a two-bedroom apartment with another Indian student in areas like Beaver Avenue or College Avenue can cut housing costs by roughly 30% versus on-campus rates.
Read More: Study in USA
Pennsylvania State University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
The University Park campus spans over 8,500 acres in State College, a small college town in central Pennsylvania roughly three to four hours by road from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia airports.
- Location and transit: Small-town setting with the free CATA bus network linking campus, off-campus housing, and downtown; nearest regional airport is University Park Airport (SCE) with connections to Detroit, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
- Housing: On-campus options include Nittany Apartments and White Course Suites for graduate students; approximately 85% of first-year undergraduates live on campus, with priority housing not guaranteed for internationals beyond year one.
- Signature facilities: Pattee-Paterno Library is the largest research library in Pennsylvania; Beaver Stadium hosts Big Ten football and shapes weekend student life.
- Indian community: Indian Graduate Student Association and the Indian Students Association host Diwali, Holi, and Republic Day events; South Asian temples and Indian grocery stores are within a 10-minute drive.
What Indian students say: The graduate community is closely knit and academically demanding, with Indian students noting strong faculty accessibility and a slower-paced small-town environment that suits focused study but requires effort for weekend travel.
Pennsylvania State University Scholarships 2027
Penn State offers two authorised tuition-grant funds exclusively for international students and additional program-level graduate assistantships; overall need-based aid for Indian applicants remains modest.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special International Grant-in-Aid (SIGIA) | Need-based tuition grant | USD 100 to USD 2,000 (INR 9,516 to INR 1.9 lakh) per year | Both UG and PG international students demonstrating financial hardship | Rolling; contact DISSA |
| Penn State Tuition Assistance Grant (PSTAG) | Need-based tuition grant | USD 100 to USD 2,000 (INR 9,516 to INR 1.9 lakh) per year | Undergraduate international students only | Rolling; contact DISSA |
| Graduate Assistantship (TA/RA/GA) | Merit and departmental | Full tuition waiver plus stipend USD 20,000 to USD 26,000 (INR 19 lakh to INR 24.7 lakh) per year | Selected graduate students at departmental discretion | Auto-considered at application time |
[Source: Penn State Directorate of International Student and Scholar Advising; Fox Graduate School funding pages]
Planning note: Fully funded graduate assistantships are the most meaningful aid for Indian PG applicants at Penn State; secure faculty backing by emailing potential advisors 6 to 8 weeks before the December 15 deadline with a clear research fit.
Read More: Pennsylvania State University Scholarships Guide
Pennsylvania State University Rankings 2027
Penn State’s strongest 2027 placement is #92 in QS World University Rankings, up from #82 in QS 2026; US News Best Global Universities also placed the university at #92 for the 2026-2027 edition.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World | 2027: #92 | 2026: #82 | NA |
| THE World | 2026: #108 | 2025: #89 | NA |
| US News Best Global | 2026-2027: #92 | 2025-2026: #128 | NA |
| ARWU (Shanghai) | 2025: #101 to 150 | NA | NA |
| Collegedunia Study Abroad | #52 of 824 global; #29 of 357 in USA | NA | NA |
[Source: Pennsylvania State University Facts and Rankings, QS, THE, US News, ARWU, Collegedunia Study Abroad]
Penn State also ranks in the ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025 top-25 for Communication (#4), Business Administration (#8), and Atmospheric Science (#9), among 11 subject-area top-25 placements.
Key insight: Penn State’s top-100 QS placement means graduates qualify for direct-entry pathways under the Indian government’s Institutions of Eminence recognition scheme, easing home-country recognition for public-sector roles and PhD applications.
Pennsylvania State University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Penn State’s Bank of America Career Services Center supports university-wide placements, with strong employer engagement across engineering, technology, financial services, and consumer goods sectors.
- Career outcomes rate: Reported at approximately 90% within six months of graduation across recent University Park cohorts.
- Median starting salary: USD 68,000 to USD 78,000 (INR 64.7 lakh to INR 74.2 lakh) for CS and engineering graduates; market median based on public disclosure and sector benchmarks.
- Representative recruiters: PPG Industries, Merck, Boeing, Deloitte, Google, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, and Lockheed Martin have historically hired from Penn State — verify latest employer lists per program.
- Smeal MBA outcomes: Median post-MBA base salary reported near USD 115,000 (INR 109.4 lakh) with signing bonuses averaging USD 25,000 (INR 23.8 lakh).
- STEM OPT and career support: Eligible MS programs qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension after standard 12-month OPT; industry-specific career fairs run each fall and spring semester.
Insider note: Indian graduates from Penn State’s engineering and business programs frequently place with technology, aerospace, and consulting employers in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, and the Bay Area; the Nittany Lion alumni network is one of the largest in US higher education.
Pennsylvania State University vs Peer Universities
Penn State sits in the Big Ten public research tier alongside Purdue, Ohio State, and Michigan State; the table compares on QS 2027 placement, annual PG tuition, and student focus.
| University | QS Rank 2027 | Collegedunia Study Abroad | Avg Annual PG Fee (USD / INR lakh) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | #92 | #52 global | 46,900 / 44.6 lakh | Broad Big Ten public research; large Indian alumni base |
| Purdue University | #100 | NA | ~35,000 / ~33.3 lakh | Engineering-first identity; lower PG tuition |
| Ohio State University | #201 | NA | ~40,000 / ~38.1 lakh | Larger student body; comparable Big Ten campus life |
| Michigan State University | #182 | NA | ~40,000 / ~38.1 lakh | Strong communications and supply chain; comparable cost band |
Penn State stands out for its balance of ranking, program breadth, and alumni network — Purdue overtakes on engineering-only depth, while Ohio State and Michigan State compete on cost. Indian applicants with a broad interest set typically choose Penn State for versatility.
Conclusion
Pennsylvania State University fits Indian students who want a top-100 QS-ranked public research university with strong engineering, business, and computing options, and a large ready-made Indian community. Total annual investment of INR 68.7 lakh against median MS starting outcomes near INR 70 lakh delivers reasonable payback within 12 to 18 months of graduation, and 24-month STEM OPT keeps the F-1 study in USA pathway open.
It is a weaker fit for applicants seeking Ivy-league brand equity, aggressive scholarship stacking, or a big-city campus setting. Indian applicants prioritising urban placement pipelines and merit funding should compare Penn State against Purdue and Northeastern before committing.
Pennsylvania State University FAQs
Ques. What TOEFL score does Pennsylvania State University require for Indian applicants?
Ans. Penn State’s Fox Graduate School requires a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 80 with at least 19 on the speaking section for international graduate applicants, including Indians. IELTS Academic 6.5 is the alternative accepted minimum, and TOEFL PBT applicants need a combined score of 60 across three sections. Departmental minimums may be higher for select programs, so verify with the target department before applying.
Ques. How can Indian students apply for a GRE waiver at Penn State?
Ans. Penn State’s GRE waiver policy varies by department, not centrally by the Fox Graduate School. Indian applicants with three or more years of relevant industry experience, a Bachelor’s GPA above 3.5/4.0, or previous graduate-level coursework can request a waiver via the department’s graduate coordinator. Smeal MBA, MS Analytics, and select engineering tracks maintain waiver processes; email the coordinator with your resume and academic transcript.
Ques. Does Penn State offer part-time work opportunities for Indian students?
Ans. F-1 visa holders at Penn State can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during academic terms and 40 hours weekly during breaks. On-campus roles include research and teaching assistantships, library positions, dining services, and department administration jobs. Off-campus employment requires Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training authorization from the Directorate of International Student and Scholar Advising after completing one academic year.
Ques. Which Penn State programs qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Ans. Most MS and M.Eng programs at Penn State’s College of Engineering, College of Information Sciences and Technology, and College of Science are on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. This makes graduates eligible for the 24-month OPT extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT, giving up to three years of US work authorization post-graduation. Verify the CIP code on your I-20 with the ISSA office before applying.
Ques. What is the application fee for Penn State international applicants?
Ans. Penn State charges international graduate applicants a USD 65 (INR 6,185) application fee if submitted before 01 December of the application cycle, rising to USD 85 (INR 8,089) for later submissions. Undergraduate international applicants pay a USD 65 flat fee. Fee waivers are limited and generally available only for participants of Council on International Educational Exchange or similar sponsored programs; verify with the admissions office.
Ques. Can Indian applicants defer their Penn State admission by one semester?
Ans. Deferral policies at Penn State are department-specific and not centrally guaranteed by the Fox Graduate School. Admitted Indian applicants can typically request a one-semester deferral by writing to the graduate coordinator with documented reasons like visa delays or medical issues. Deferral for personal or funding reasons is often denied; reapplication may be required for later cycles. Undergraduate deferrals follow similar case-by-case review.
Ques. Which Indian education loan lenders recognise Pennsylvania State University?
Ans. All major Indian education loan providers, including HDFC Credila, Avanse, Auxilo, ICICI Bank, SBI, Bank of Baroda, and Axis Bank, offer loans for Penn State admits. Loan sanctions typically range from INR 50 lakh to INR 1.5 crore based on program cost and collateral. Non-collateral loans up to INR 40 to 50 lakh are available for top MS programs, with Prodigy Finance and MPower Financing offering US-based options without Indian collateral.
Ques. How does the WES credential evaluation work for Penn State applications?
Ans. Penn State’s Fox Graduate School accepts World Education Services course-by-course ICAP evaluations from Indian applicants. Order the evaluation on the WES website, request your Indian university to send official transcripts and mark sheets directly to WES, and select Penn State as a recipient. Processing takes four to six weeks after WES receives all documents; start the process eight weeks before your target application deadline to avoid delays.
Pennsylvania State University Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Oct 2026) Round 1 Decision Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Dec 2026) Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Dec 2026) Round 2 Decision Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Feb 2027) Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Feb 2027) Round 3 Decision Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Apr 2027) | USD 50,608 /Yr | 85 | Bachelor's degree, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5 | - | |
MFin 1 year | 1st Round Application Deadline for 2027 Intake (1st Oct 2026) 2nd Round Application Deadline for 2027 Intake (1st Dec 2026) 3rd Round Application Deadline for 2027 Intake (1st Feb 2027) | USD 50,608 /Yr | 85 | Bachelor's degree, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5 | - |
Application Deadline for Spring Intake (31st Aug 2026) | USD 50,608 /Yr | 85 | Bachelor's degree, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5 | - | |
Application Deadline for Spring Intake (5th Sep 2026) Application Deadline for Fall Intake (5th Mar 2027) | USD 50,608 /Yr | 85 | GPA:3.0, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5 | - | |
Application deadline for Fall 2027 Intake (15th Dec 2026) | USD 50,608 /Yr | 85 | Bachelor's degree, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5 | - | |
BS Computer Science 4 years | Final Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Oct 2026) Regular Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Oct 2026) Early Action Application Deadline for Fall and Summer Intake (1st Nov 2026) Priority Application Deadline for Fall and Summer Intake (1st Feb 2027) | USD 44,574 /Yr | 75 | 12th grade, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 4.5 | - |
BS Mechanical Engineering 4 years | Final Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Oct 2026) Regular Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Oct 2026) Early Action Application Deadline for Fall and Summer Intake (1st Nov 2026) Priority Application Deadline for Fall and Summer Intake (1st Feb 2027) | USD 44,574 /Yr | 75 | 12th grade, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 4.5 | - |
MS Biotechnology 2 years | Application Deadline for Fall Intake (1st Mar 2027) | USD 50,608 /Yr | 85 | Bachelor's degree, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5 | - |
MBA 1 year | Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Oct 2026) Round 1 Decision Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Dec 2026) Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Dec 2026) Round 2 Decision Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Feb 2027) Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Feb 2027) Round 3 Decision Deadline for 2026-27 Intake (1st Apr 2027) | USD 55,806 /Yr | 85 | Bachelor's degree, TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5 | |
BS Kinesiology 4 years | Final Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Oct 2026) Regular Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Oct 2026) Early Action Application Deadline for Fall and Summer Intake (1st Nov 2026) Priority Application Deadline for Fall and Summer Intake (1st Feb 2027) | USD 44,574 /Yr | 75 | 12th grade, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 4.5 | - |
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Important Alerts
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering Application Deadline for Spring Intake | Closing in 17 days |
| Energy and Mineral Engineering Application Deadline for Spring Intake | Closing in 22 days |
| Industrial Engineering Application Deadline for Spring Intake | Closing in 18 days |
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Pennsylvania State University comparison
| University Name | Pennsylvania State University | Arizona State University | University of Massachusetts | Northeastern University | Drexel University | Georgia Institute of Technology | University of Michigan | Purdue University | Rutgers University - New Jersey | Georgetown University | University of Colorado | University of Pennsylvania | Boston University | Lehigh University | Ohio State University | University of Pittsburgh | Temple University | Syracuse University | Stony Brook University | University at Buffalo | University of Delaware | University of Maryland | University of Oregon | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | University of Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.9 Out of 10 | 5.5 Out of 10 | 4.5 Out of 10 | - Out of 10 | 4.9 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 | 7.5 Out of 10 | 5.8 Out of 10 | 5.3 Out of 10 | 5.5 Out of 10 | 5.7 Out of 10 | 7.9 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 | 4.4 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 | 6 Out of 10 | 4.9 Out of 10 | 5 Out of 10 | 5.1 Out of 10 | 4.4 Out of 10 | 4.7 Out of 10 | 5.9 Out of 10 | 4.9 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 | 6.8 Out of 10 |
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| Acceptance Rate | 54.0 % | 90.0 % | 0.0 % | 5.6 % | 78.0 % | 14.0 % | 16.0 % | 50.0 % | 65.0 % | 0.0 % | 81.0 % | 5.0 % | 11.0 % | 29.0 % | 61.0 % | 49.7 % | 83.0 % | 42.0 % | 49.0 % | 74.0 % | 69.0 % | 45.0 % | 85.1 % | 77.0 % | 45.0 % |
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Overall 92 out of 1504 in Global Ranking
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Pennsylvania State University Reviews
Most Popular Tags
19 Reviews Found
Likes
- Like the academics
Dislikes
- Dislike the lack of support going into the labour markets.
Likes
- Campus is pretty
- Faculty ads staff in Chem Department are very helpful
- We get a state of the art infrastructure and instruments
Dislikes
- Settling in US was too hectic. In the first few months you have get SSN, open bank account and other official things along with the culture shock
- You are too far from your family. Round trip to India is costly.
- Public transportation to bigger cities is not that great
Campus Life
- Campus life is pretty good. We have three well-equipped gym and sports buildings, swimming pools, and a lot of playgrounds. There are a lot of clubs that anyone can join. Library is open all the days. There's a lot of craze for American football here in Penn State.
- Also, there are always multiple events happening on the campus every week.
Fees
- There is no tuition fee for PhD students. The department (if TA) or PI (if RA) pays it for you.









Likes
- Great Alumni community
- Great social environment
- Great amenities
Dislikes
- There is a 50% chance that any one of your professors this semester could be terrible
- Some departments are not run well due to bad faculty
- The Computer Science Curriculum is quite outdated
Campus Life
- There are a plethora of extracurricular clubs and events you can participate in and be part of. There are also many career-boosting opportunities found if you bother to look for them.
Fees
- International students have to pay around $57,000 per year, with the exact value increasing slightly every year.
Likes
- It has one of the biggest Alumni system in the entire US
- There so many resources for your specific needs
- It is easy to get jobs on-campus
Dislikes
- The food is not that great on-campus
- Housing can be expensive, even though it is a college town.
- The gyms and libraries are not 24/7
Campus Life
- There are almost twenty-four campuses. However, there are a lot of campuses that are being shut down. The main campus is University Park. Other notable campuses are Altoona and Harrisburg.
- There are almost 5 libraries, 3 gyms and 1 hospital on the main campus.
- The whiteout games are very big here. The homecoming and Halloween weekend celebrations are other major events here. THON is the biggest charity event that is unique to Penn State.
- There are many Indian and south Asian clubs that celebrate Indian festivals here. There are almost 1200 clubs at Penn State so there is a club for virtually every interest.
Fees
- It is almost sixty-five thousand dollars per year for me, including everything. However, that was two years ago and they have increased the rates to almost seventy thousand, according to some of my first-year friends but I am not sure about the figures exactly.
- They charge semester wise and you can opt to pay it monthly and it came to around 6500 per month for me.
- Off campus, including rent and other stuff, it was 1000 for me.








Likes
- Large, lively, and friendly campus life and community that always makes students feel a part of the college
- Beautiful Campus and locations with the arboretum, wintery landscapes, line shrine, secret pond, etc.
- Rich Culture, College traditions, and Unique History such as THON, State Pattys, etc.
Dislikes
- Extremely high winds at times, making it very difficult to walk at times
- Getting the exact class you want may be difficult due to the massive student class size
- Expensive tuition and living costs, especially for off-campus
Campus Life
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Penn State has 24 campuses, with the main campus at University Park, and there are 19 Commonwealth campuses. Some of the notable Commonwealth campuses include Penn State Abington, Altoona, Erie (Behrend College), and Harrisburg.
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The campus has the following facilities
- Libraries: Multiple libraries (approximately 15) covering various subjects
- Sports Facilities: Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center, along with numerous intramural fields.
- Medical Services: University Health Services (UHS) with ambulance and paramedics 24/7 -
Penn State is known for its vibrant events:
- THON: The largest student-run philanthropy in the world, raising money for pediatric cancer research.
- Arts Fest: A downtown State College festival showcasing local art.
- Over 1,000 student clubs and organizations -
Extracurriculars
- Sports: Big Ten athletics, club sports, and intramurals.
- Cultural Events: Concerts, performances, and festivals celebrating different cultures, with a large emphasis on Indian culture.
- Student Organizations: Opportunities for community service, academics, and personal interests.
Fees
- It costs approximately 55k a year, broken down as 8k a year for campus, 40k a year for tuition, and 5k for miscellaneous things such as prepaid meal plan, textbooks, etc.
- The fees are charged semester wise, and one can opt in for monthly installments
- Since the meal plan is prepaid, transportation is free, and I live on campus, the only regular expenses are for things such as laundry and occasionally shopping at walmart or target








Likes
- On campus opportunities are good so you don't have to work in mess or do labor intensive jobs
- The campus is really big and it's very clean and beautiful
- The football team of Penn State is amazing thus good football matches
Dislikes
- They don't teach any industry related technologies and only focus on Machine Learning and computer fundaments
- The course requires a lot of your time thus you can't really focus on jobs search
- State College city is really cold and the weather is really harsh
Campus Life
- Penn State has around 11 campuses, 1 major library and every department has it's own small library, multiple grounds for almost every sport. I am on the University Park campus, State College PA. There are a lot of clubs and many football games. The Gym facilities are also excellent and we have ice skating arena and almost all the sport grounds.

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Likes
- It has a well renowned CS department.
- The department is selective with a limited number of students.
- Getting a student job is easy as compared to different universitites
Dislikes
- Recently the federal funding has been paused for the university.
- The city has nothing much to do other than the campus.
- It gets super cold in the winters
Campus Life
- We have a lot of events going on all year; there are societies and clubs for cultural activities as well. There are many Indian events that take place here and celebrations of different festivals. During major festivals, you won't feel far from home.
- We have clubs like IGSA, SASA and many more. We have an amazing intramural building; name a sport, and they have it there.






Likes
- The campus is really beautiful.
- The college town is very safe.
- The college is well renowned for no issues in visa interview/ immigration.
Dislikes
- The fees are still high even though it is a state university.
- The selection of courses are a bit limited.
- The college being in college town gets ghosted in the winter and summer breaks.
Campus Life
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All Campus:- University Park,Abington,Altoona,Beaver,Behrend (Erie),Berks,Brandywine,DuBois,Fayette (Eberly),Greater Allegheny,Harrisburg,Hazleton,Lehigh Valley,Mont Alto,New Kensington,Schuylkill,Scranton,Shenango,Wilkes-Barre,York.
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I am in the university park campus. It has great recreational activities. The worlds third largest football stadium is Beavers stadium home to the PSU football team. It hosts a lot of matches which is a source of entertainment for the 100,000 fans visiting each and every game. PSU is a sports school and has great facilities.
Fees
- So the fee is 18,000 USD (with health insurance) per semester. So 65000 USD for the entire two year course (30 credits). The credit based fees is 1975 dollars per credit.
- The monthly expenses are around 600 for rent and 250 to 300 USD for groceries. You should also keep 50/100 USD expense as miscellaneous. So you should account around a 1000 dollars per month.

Likes
- The Size of the campus 19051$
- The diversity across the campus you have people from all around world
- The various options for extra curriculars
Dislikes
- Sizes of class for some courses exceed 500-600 students per class
- Some classes are very poorly structured
- Main campus has very little to do like places to visit or hangout we only have clubs, lasertag and bowling
Campus Life
- My university has 24 campus
- University Park – Penn State University Park
- Abington – Penn State Abington
- Altoona – Penn State Altoona
- Beaver (Monaca) – Penn State Beaver
- Behrend (Erie) – Penn State Behrend
- Berks (Reading) – Penn State Berks
- Brandywine (Media) – Penn State Brandywine
- Carlisle – Penn State Dickinson Law
- DuBois – Penn State DuBois
- Fayette (Lemont Furnace) – Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
- Great Valley (Malvern) – Penn State Great Valley
- Greater Allegheny (McKeesport) – Penn State Greater Allegheny
- Harrisburg (Middletown) – Penn State Harrisburg
- Hazleton – Penn State Hazleton
- Hershey – Penn State College of Medicine
- Lehigh Valley (Center Valley) – Penn State Lehigh Valley
- Mont Alto – Penn State Mont Alto
- New Kensington – Penn State New Kensington
- Schuylkill (Schuylkill Haven) – Penn State Schuylkill
- Scranton (Dunmore) – Penn State Scranton
- Shenango (Sharon) – Penn State Shenango
- Wilkes-Barre (Lehman) – Penn State Wilkes-Barre
- Williamsport – Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn State affiliate)
- York – Penn State York
- All the facilities you could imagine are available at my campus sports, food, health related, gyms, swimming pools, everything.
- The major events would be the THON which is an event for charity which happens for i think 48-72 hours straight without stopping and the penn state whiteout which is a sport event where everyone wears white to the game.
- There are well over 500 clubs at my university, for extra curriculars you have gyms, pool tables, tennis courts, pickle ball courts, soccer courts, rock climbing , badminton, swimming pools and few other sports which I don't remember.
Fees
- There is a 5% increase in your fee when you hit 59 credits or more. We had semester wise fee.
- All the fee i am listing below is from my freshman semester from 2022 fall
I had a room and board fee 6600$
Tuition was 19051$
Insurance was 1059$
International fee was 750$
UP (campus) student fee was 274$
Erollment fee was 130$
Total was around 27600$ for the first semester - My monthly expenses living on campus would be around 300$-400$ and it varies from person to person depending on how much you are spending on food outside the campus, how much you were partying or travelling etc.

Likes
- Flexibility in choosing courses.
- Ability to try out whatever courses I wanted for the first week, without them affecting my grades or billing.
- Huge push towards research, leading to collaboration with professors and fellow students.
Dislikes
- Slightly on the costlier side.
- Lack of RA opportunities.
- Too many research oriented and too few industry oriented courses when it comes to HCI.
Campus Life
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All the Campus :-
- Penn State Abington Abington, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Altoona Logan Township, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Beaver Monaca, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Berks Spring Township, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Brandywine Media, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Carlisle Carlisle, Pennsylvania
- Penn State DuBois DuBois, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Erie (Behrend College) Erie, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Fayette Uniontown, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Greater Allegheny McKeesport, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Harrisburg Middletown, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Hazleton Hazleton, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Lehigh Valley Center Valley, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Mont Alto Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
- Penn State New Kensington New Kensington, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Schuylkill Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Scranton Dunmore, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Shenango Sharon, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Wilkes-Barre Lehman, Pennsylvania
- Penn State York York, Pennsylvania
- Penn State University Park State College, Pennsylvania
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I got to University Park campus, we have multiple gyms, libraries and lots of sports facilities. We have the third larget football stadium in the US.
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Popular events include concerts and football games. Festivals of all different backgrounds are also celebrated by the respective societies.
Fees
- We pay fee semester-wise based on the credits we have taken. Since I am enrolled in a 10 credit course, the first three semesters, where I enroll in 3 credits per semester, cost around 18-20k including insurance.
- My monthly rent is 610. Utilities in summer-fall cost about 20-40 per month. In winter, the utilities may go up to about 70-100 per month.Groceries cost around 200-300 per month. Transport is free as bus pass is included for free in my rental agreement. Total living expenses per month come out to about 800-1100 USD.











Pennsylvania State University Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship | Scholarship per student$20,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based |
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Application Portal: https://admissions.psu.edu/apply/
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Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
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Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Pennsylvania State University Campuses, Schools & Faculties
Pennsylvania State University Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3621 | - | - | - |



















Comments
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GRE qualification is not mandatory for admission to all the programs offered at Pennsylvania State University. The admission requirements differ from one program to another.