Penn State Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) is 55.21%. This means that 55 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

To secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of study. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as the Penn State is not very strict in its admission process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

As the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not excellent. You can make up for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Admission Requirements

Can I Get Into Penn State Without SAT Or ACT?: Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Average SAT Score: 1308
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is 1308 on the 1600 SAT scale. This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1308 on the SAT.
If your score is lower than 1210, you may appear again to improve your score to have a better chance of admission at Penn State. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT 25th Percentile: 1210
SAT 75th Percentile: 1390

It means that if you have scored less than 1210 then you are below most of the admitted students at Penn State and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1390 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300

Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) with a 1400 SAT?

With a 1400 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) are good but the admission staff at Penn State tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Penn State is 29. This score makes Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 29 on the ACT.
ACT 25th Percentile: 26
ACT 75th Percentile: 31

Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus with a 31 ACT?

With a 31 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 29.

Penn State Profile

Name: Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State)

City: University Park

URL: https://www.psu.edu/

State: Pennsylvania

Type: Public

Zip: 16802-1503

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)

How much does a degree from Penn State Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is USD: 38049. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is USD: 32223

How can I get a scholarship?

13.79% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 39.78 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Penn State and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Penn State as your choice in the form.

How much a Penn State Graduate make?

The average annual salary of the Penn State graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 63435. An average Penn State graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Degree Programs

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.