BA Humanities at Penn State: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

BA Humanities at Penn State: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

State College, PennsylvaniaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1855established year
45218enrollment
Public
7.4/10

Bachelor of Arts [B.A] (Humanities)

4 years
Full Time
On Campus

Field of Study

$44,574 /Yr

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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Aug 6, 2026

Pennsylvania State University Bachelor of Arts in Humanities is a four-year, 120-credit, full-time degree completed at Harrisburg for Fall 2027. Indian applicants need completed secondary education, while calculated tuition and mandatory fees total US$120,684 (INR 1.15 Crore).

The programme connects arts, history, philosophy, religion, literature and writing through interdisciplinary courses and two chosen subfields. It suits analytical readers seeking a flexible academic route, although career direction depends on purposeful electives, a minor or practical experience.

  • Students investigate two humanities subfields in depth instead of following one narrow disciplinary sequence.
  • The curriculum develops research, interpretation and communication through four staged interdisciplinary humanities courses.
  • A business administration, communications or writing minor can give the flexible major a clearer professional direction.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 28 July 2027.

Penn State offers Early Action on 1 November 2026 and reviews later applications on a rolling basis. Indian applicants should use Early Action to preserve campus availability and adequate visa-processing time.

Also Check: Penn State undergraduate admission

Penn State B.A. Humanities Fees and Living Costs 2027

Penn State publishes 2027-28 Harrisburg tuition by undergraduate level rather than by major. The calculation uses two lower-division years, two upper-division years and mandatory international and student fees.

Fall 2027 published charges: Annual figures cover two full-time semesters, while the four-year total holds current rates unchanged for planning.

ChargePublished amountINR equivalent
Lower-division tuition per yearUS$27,174INR 25.91 Lakhs
Upper-division tuition per yearUS$28,872INR 27.53 Lakhs
Student fee per yearUS$648INR 61,799
International undergraduate fee per yearUS$1,500INR 1.43 Lakhs
Calculated four-year tuition and feesUS$120,684INR 1.15 Crore

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.35 as of 06 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

Source: Penn State 2027-28 Harrisburg tuition and mandatory fee schedules.

The four-year figure excludes insurance, travel and later rate increases because Penn State does not guarantee a fixed price. Families should therefore treat INR 1.15 Crore as an academic-cost floor rather than a complete degree budget.

Cost of Living in Harrisburg for Humanities Students

Penn State’s official estimate combines living costs and books into one annual amount rather than publishing an invented category breakdown. This estimate remains distinct from residence prices and immigration financial evidence.

ExpenseMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)
Combined living costs and booksUS$1,725INR 1.64 Lakhs
Annual totalUS$20,700INR 19.74 Lakhs

Lower-division tuition, mandatory fees and living costs create a calculated first-year baseline of US$50,022 (INR 47.70 Lakhs). Holding every published rate unchanged gives a four-year planning illustration of US$203,484 (INR 1.94 Crore).

Read More: cost of living in the United States

ROI reality: The calculated four-year planning budget reaches INR 1.94 Crore, so applicants need funding that does not depend on an uncertain humanities salary.

Penn State B.A. Humanities Admission 2027

First-year applicants enter Penn State through international undergraduate admission rather than a separate Humanities selection round. Progression into the major later requires 27.1 credits and a 2.00 Penn State GPA.

Academic Eligibility for Indian Applicants

Penn State publishes no minimum Indian percentage for Humanities. Applicants report their final three school years through STARS, the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System, while Penn State makes the official equivalency decision.

RequirementPublished ruleIndian applicant action
Secondary educationCompleted school credentialReport Grade X to XII coursework and results accurately
Academic recordRequired school subjects reviewed comprehensivelyKeep board names, subjects and marks on their original scale
SAT or ACTOptional for first-year admissionSubmit only when the result strengthens the record
Entrance to Humanities2.00 Penn State GPA after 27.1 creditsApproximately 55% to 60%, or CGPA 6.0 to 6.5 on 10; Penn State decides equivalency
Degree completion120 credits with C or better in designated major coursesReserve degree space for language and two humanities subfields

The B.A. also requires world-language proficiency through the twelfth-credit level. Indian applicants without advanced language placement should account for up to four courses before committing elective space to a minor.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English need an accepted route, and test scores must be under two years old. Penn State’s live policy distinguishes TOEFL attempts taken before and after 21 January 2026.

Accepted routeCurrent minimum
TOEFL after 21 January 20264.5 on the internet-based TOEFL
TOEFL before 21 January 202680 on the internet-based TOEFL
IELTS Academic6.5 overall
Duolingo English Test120
SAT Reading and Writing570
  • Use Penn State’s published TOEFL scale for the test date because applicants must not self-convert an older result.
  • IELTS Academic provides a 6.5 route for applicants who prefer a familiar scale during the TOEFL transition.
  • Penn State rejects TOEFL MyBest Scores, so one accepted sitting must independently satisfy the minimum.
Tip for Indian students: Accurate school reporting establishes first-year eligibility, while language planning determines how much room remains for a career-focused minor.

Penn State B.A. Humanities Application 2027

Fall 2027 applicants use MyPennState or Common App and should complete Early Action by 1 November 2026. Penn State reviews later files on a rolling basis until the international final deadline.

Published Fall 2027 sequence: Penn State does not state a portal cutoff time beside these dates, so applicants should follow the timestamp displayed inside their application.

StagePublished dateApplicant action
Application opens1 August 2026Start MyPennState or Common App
Early Action deadline1 November 2026Complete the application and STARS record
Early Action decisionBy 24 December 2026Check for admission, denial or deferral
Offer acceptance1 May 2027Accept admission and begin immigration documentation
International final deadline28 July 2027Complete any remaining fall application

The official dates carry no published time-zone cutoff, preventing a reliable same-day IST conversion. Indian applicants should finish by 31 October 2026 IST for Early Action instead of depending on an unstated Pennsylvania portal time.

Application Components and Course Fit

A complete file includes the application, STARS academic record and English evidence when required. Humanities has no published first-year portfolio, so applicants should demonstrate fit through sustained reading, writing, language and arts-related coursework.

  • Report every subject and mark exactly because Penn State later verifies self-reported records against official documents.
  • Connect academic interests to two likely humanities subfields, showing a coherent use for the programme’s flexibility.
  • Keep Common App and STARS completion receipts because both affect whether Penn State can review the file.
Application tip: Use 1 November 2026 as the working deadline because rolling review can reduce campus availability before the international final date.

Penn State B.A. Humanities Scholarships 2027

Penn State does not publish a guaranteed Humanities award for Fall 2027 international entrants. Funding is competitive, so applicants must retain gross tuition and living costs until they receive a written award.

Current published funding: The international grant has a stated typical range, while campus and donor awards do not publish a guaranteed value for this intake.

Funding routePublished valueINR equivalentEligibility and route
Special International Grant-in-AidTypically US$100 to US$2,000INR 9,535 to INR 1.91 LakhsEnrolled full-time non-immigrant students apply through iStart

Penn State Harrisburg also distributes campus and donor scholarships, but the live material does not state a Humanities-specific Fall 2027 amount. Applicants should ask whether admission automatically triggers consideration or whether a separate campus form is required.

  • Do not deduct the international grant from financial evidence because its published maximum remains much smaller than annual tuition.
  • Ask Harrisburg about Humanities donor awards after admission because eligibility and application routes can differ by fund.
  • Preserve external scholarship documents and deadlines separately because Penn State cannot guarantee third-party disbursement timing.
Scholarship reality: The published US$2,000 (INR 1.91 Lakhs) typical maximum covers a small fraction of first-year costs, requiring an independent funding plan.

Penn State B.A. Humanities Salary 2027

Penn State publishes no salary, offer rate or employer list for a named Humanities B.A. cohort. The official programme instead identifies routes in arts administration, communications, government, teaching, museum work, law and postgraduate study.

Evidence scope: These are curriculum-supported career directions, not placements or typical graduate outcomes.

Programme evidenceCareer implicationApplicant action
Two chosen humanities subfieldsCreates a focused academic narrative within a broad degreeSelect fields that support one intended sector
Research and communication outcomesSupports writing, analysis and evidence-based project workPreserve substantial assignments as portfolio samples
Recommended minor combinationsAdds business, communications or writing contextMap minor prerequisites before choosing electives
Harrisburg career supportProvides resume, interview and internship guidanceSeek relevant experience before the final year

A salary-based payback calculation would be unsound because no course-cohort earnings figure exists. Combining the degree with a targeted minor, work samples and internships creates the strongest financial case.

Return on Investment for Indian Students

The calculated four-year planning budget is US$203,484 (INR 1.94 Crore), while course-level earnings remain unpublished. This creates high debt risk for applicants relying on a specific first job or prolonged United States employment.

  • The flexible curriculum supports several sectors, but applicants should select two subfields that lead toward one demonstrable professional narrative.
  • No cohort salary supports a repayment forecast, so borrowers should model loans using verified offers from their intended role and location.
  • Standard OPT lasts 12 months for this non-STEM degree, limiting the period available to test a United States employment route.
  • India-return earnings cannot be inferred from American role salaries, so applicants should obtain local role benchmarks before accepting debt.

Take-home pay changes with work location, tax and employment status, so any gross offer needs checking through the relevant government tax estimator. Applicants should not treat a converted American salary as an Indian repayment benchmark.

ROI reality: This programme fits applicants who value interdisciplinary study and can fund it without assuming a particular salary, scholarship or extended work period.

USA Visa for Penn State B.A. Humanities Students 2027

Indian students normally use the F-1 student visa, followed by OPT, meaning Optional Practical Training. Humanities is not identified for the STEM extension, so graduates should plan around the standard 12-month OPT period.

  • The F-1 visa fee is US$185 (INR 17,640), while the SEVIS I-901 fee is US$350 (INR 33,373).
  • OPT employment must relate directly to Humanities, making a coherent subfield and minor combination important during job searches.
  • H-1B sponsorship has no single national salary threshold because employers must meet the higher applicable actual or prevailing wage.
  • F-2 dependants may accompany the student but cannot work, while employment-based residence through EB-2 or EB-3 has no guaranteed timeline.

Check Out: United States student visa requirements

Visa reality: The 12-month standard OPT window rewards applicants who connect Humanities coursework, work samples and internships to a specific occupation before graduation.

Penn State B.A. Humanities Ranking 2027

U.S. News places Penn State No. 26 globally for Arts and Humanities in its 2026-27 subject results. This broad research ranking covers the field across Penn State rather than this Harrisburg bachelor’s cohort.

Ranking scope: The result measures university subject performance and must not be interpreted as a Humanities B.A. placement rank.

Ranking editionSubject scopePosition
U.S. News Best Global Universities 2026-27Arts and HumanitiesNo. 26 globally

The ranking supports Penn State’s research visibility across arts and humanities, but it cannot answer whether the Harrisburg curriculum fits an applicant. Two-subfield choice, minor access and total cost remain more direct undergraduate decision factors.

Check Out: Pennsylvania State University profile

Honest take: No. 26 signals broad subject research strength, while applicants still need to test the Harrisburg curriculum against their intended subfields and career plan.

Penn State’s Humanities B.A. fits analytical students who want to connect two humanities fields and shape that breadth through a purposeful minor. Its staged interdisciplinary core develops research and communication, but unpublished cohort salaries and a INR 1.94 Crore planning budget create a serious funding tradeoff. Indian applicants should choose likely subfields before applying, test their career logic against the 12-month OPT window and complete Early Action by 1 November 2026.

Penn State B.A. Humanities FAQs

Ques. Where is Penn State’s Humanities B.A. completed?

Ans. Fall 2027 entrants can begin at an available Penn State campus and complete the degree at Harrisburg. Fayette is not accepting new students because it closes after Spring 2027.

Ques. Is the Penn State Humanities B.A. worth its cost?

Ans. It can fit applicants who value two-field interdisciplinary study and can fund INR 1.94 Crore without salary-dependent debt. Penn State publishes no course-cohort salary for a payback forecast.

Ques. How should an applicant choose Humanities subfields?

Ans. Select two fields that support one intellectual or professional direction, then use a business, communications or writing minor to add applied evidence.

Ques. When should an Indian student apply for Fall 2027?

Ans. Complete the application and STARS by 1 November 2026 for Early Action. Waiting until 28 July 2027 exposes the applicant to rolling availability and limited visa-processing time.

Ques. Can scholarships make Penn State Humanities affordable?

Ans. The published international grant is typically US$100 to US$2,000 (INR 9,535 to INR 1.91 Lakhs). Its scale cannot replace a full tuition and living-cost plan.


Important Alert

  • Final Application Deadline for Spring Intake - Oct 1, 2026

Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$44574

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Books and supply$1290
Total Cost$1290

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2024$43280
2023$36974
2021$35984

Important Dates

Dates for upcoming intake are tentative
EventApplication Date
Final Application Deadline for Summer Intake Apr 15, 2026
Final Application Deadline for Fall Intake Jun 15, 2026
Final Application Deadline for Spring Intake Oct 1, 2026
Regular Application Deadline for Spring Intake Jan 6, 2026 - Oct 1, 2026
Early Action Application Deadline for Fall and Summer Intake Jan 8, 2025 - Nov 1, 2026
Priority Application Deadline for Fall and Summer Intake Jan 8, 2026 - Feb 1, 2027

Scores Required

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

4.5 / 6

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

120 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo

75

Application Fees

120

ECTS Credits


Required Document List

  • Apply via MyPennState or Common App
  • Submit STARS self-reported grades
  • Provide official transcripts (last 3 years)
  • SAT/ACT optional
  • English test required

Ranking

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

Collegedunia Study Abroad logo

QS World University logo
Arts 106 out of 553 in Global Ranking
( #22 out of 83 in USA 2026)

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