College profile

Pennsylvania State University: Acceptance Rate and SAT Scores

Pennsylvania State University admits about 60.6% of applicants. The reported SAT middle-50% range is 1240–1420 (sum of the section 25th/75th percentiles reported to College Scorecard). That SAT range concords to roughly a 26–32 ACT Composite under the official 2018 College Board/ACT concordance table.

  1. See Pennsylvania State University's key stats below.
  2. Check whether your SAT score is a Reach, In Range, or Likely.
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Acceptance rate 60.6%
SAT range 1240-1420
Net price $33,675
Graduation rate 85.4%

Pennsylvania State University At a Glance

LocationUniversity Park, Pennsylvania
TypePublic
Undergraduate Enrollment42,284
Acceptance Rate60.6%
SAT Range (Reading & Writing)620-700
SAT Range (Math)620-720
SAT Range (Combined, approx.)1240-1420
Average SAT (Combined)1337
ACT Range27-32
Average Net Price$33,675/yr
Tuition (In-State)$21,098/yr
Tuition (Out-of-State)$43,490/yr
4-Year Graduation Rate85.4%
Full-Time Retention Rate92.6%
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry$71,762
Median Debt at Completion$24,500

How Pennsylvania State University Compares

Pennsylvania State University is more selective than about 72% of the 254 schools in this list with a published acceptance rate.

With about 42,284 students, it is larger than about 96% of the 265 schools in this list.

Similar Colleges

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA — 58% acceptance West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA — 78% acceptance Drexel University Philadelphia, PA — 79% acceptance Temple University Philadelphia, PA — 80% acceptance Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA — 93% acceptance University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA — 5% acceptance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pennsylvania State University's acceptance rate?

Pennsylvania State University's acceptance rate is about 60.6%, based on the most recent data reported to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

What SAT score do you need for Pennsylvania State University?

Admitted students at Pennsylvania State University typically report a combined SAT score between 1240 and 1420 (the reported 25th to 75th percentile range).

Does Pennsylvania State University require the SAT?

Test-optional and test-required policies change from year to year and are not part of the College Scorecard data used on this page. Check Pennsylvania State University's own admissions site for its current testing policy, linked below.

What is the average cost of Pennsylvania State University?

The average net price reported for Pennsylvania State University is $33,675 per year, after grant and scholarship aid.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Figures reflect the most recent data available via the College Scorecard API — see also Pennsylvania State University's official site.