Penn State Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

The Pennsylvania State University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is 92.26%. This means that 92 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as Penn State is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, 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 improve your chances of admission.

The Pennsylvania State University Admission Requirements

Can I Get Into Penn State Without SAT Or ACT?: The Pennsylvania State University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process, but does not require them. Although, it is not strictly a requirement, but 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 for 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 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.

The Pennsylvania State University (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.

The Pennsylvania State University Average SAT Score: 1260
The average SAT score of the admitted students at The Pennsylvania State University is a 1260 on the 1600 SAT scale. This score makes it slightly competetive for SAT test scores. You need to well to score 1260 on SAT
If your score is lower than 1140, you may appear again to improve your score to have better chances of admissions at Penn State. It is not strange to appear multiple times for SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT 25th Percentile: 1140
SAT 75th Percentile: 1360

It means that if you have scored less than 1140 then you are below the most of the admitted students at Penn State and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1360 or more, then your chances of admissions are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer score than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250

Can I get into The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) with a 1350 SAT?.

With 1350 SAT Score, your chances of admission at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) are good but the admission staff at Penn State tests your all round 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 could not 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 definitely increase your chances of admissions. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, then your chances of admissions are high.

The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at is 28. This score makes The Pennsylvania State University Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 28 on ACT
ACT 25th Percentile: 25
ACT 75th Percentile: 31

Can I get into The Pennsylvania State University with a 31 ACT?

With 31 ACT Score, your chances of admission at The Pennsylvania State University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. College Admission process tests your all round 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 could not 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 average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at The Pennsylvania State University. More importantly, comparing your scores with 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you better understanding of where you stand. If your score in SAT is near to the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send SAT score. If your ACT score is near to the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

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

Here it is how: When sending ACT Score, you can yourself 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 SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View list of all colleges with Average ACT score of 28.

Penn State Profile

Name: The Pennsylvania State University (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 a degree from Penn State Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at The Pennsylvania State University is USD: 34174. As most of the students receive Pell grants and Federal Grant the average annual net price a student has to pay at The Pennsylvania State University is USD: 27521

How can I get a scholarship?

21.74% of the students are receiving Pell grants and 44.52 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 The Pennsylvania State University, you will have no problem in receiving any scholarship form 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 makes?

The average annual salary of the Penn State graduate after 4-6 year of graduation is USD 61185. 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: 36834

Degree Programs

Bachelor Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by The Pennsylvania State University.

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.