Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Sharon, Pennsylvania
90.9% Acceptance Rate
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.9%Acceptance Rate
1170Avg SAT
$26,545Annual Cost
$63,435Grad Salary
40.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.9%
Avg SAT
1170
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1040–1230
Avg Net Price
$14,259
Need-Based Aid
40.6% receive Pell
Penn State Shenango, established in 1965 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, is a Commonwealth Campus offering the first two years of all Penn State majors plus six bachelor's degrees that can be completed locally. Shenango's programs in nursing, business, and administration of justice serve the Shenango Valley and surrounding communities. The campus features modern health sciences labs and the Lartz Memorial Library, maintaining a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Shenango's small class sizes and affordable tuition make Penn State education accessible to non-traditional students.
Shenango's location near the Ohio border provides internship opportunities in healthcare and manufacturing sectors. The campus's Continuing Education department offers workforce development programs aligned with regional employer needs. Shenango's partnership with Sharon Regional Medical Center enhances its nursing program, while its business programs connect students with local entrepreneurs. The campus's community focus includes hosting public lectures and cultural events.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango Acceptance Rate
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango (Penn State) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 90.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 90.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Priority Freshman
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Penn State reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority Freshman
November 1
Decision by: December 24
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Penn State
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango (Penn State) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Penn State is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Penn State Without SAT or ACT?
Penn State considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango Average SAT Score: 1170
The average SAT score of admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango is 1170 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1170 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1040, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Penn State. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 550 | 490 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 550 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1170 | 1040 | 1230 |
Below 1040, you're behind most admitted students; at 1230 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango (Penn State) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of Penn State's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Penn State
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Penn State's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Understand this campus closes after Spring 2027
Penn State's Board of Trustees announced this closure in May 2025 as part of a consolidation of seven Commonwealth campuses - factor this timeline directly into your enrollment planning for any multi-year program.
Plan your 2+2 transfer campus and timeline now
Shenango lets you start any of Penn State's 275+ majors before transferring - given the closure, decide your destination campus early rather than waiting until closer to 2027.
Confirm which of the six bachelor's programs remain fully completable here
Don't assume every major listed in older materials stays available through your intended graduation date given the wind-down.
Ask specifically about the Master's in Nursing program's continuity
Graduate program timelines may differ from undergraduate wind-down - confirm directly rather than assuming.
Expert Insight:
Because this campus is closing after Spring 2027, applicants planning a multi-year program here need to confirm directly with admissions exactly which semesters and majors will remain available through their intended graduation date - don't rely on general program descriptions that may predate the closure announcement.
Penn State Profile
Full Name
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango (Penn State)
City
Sharon
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
16146-1537
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Penn State Degree Worth It?
Whether Penn State is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $63,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.15%.
How much does a degree from Penn State Cost?
The sticker price is $26,545/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $14,259.
40.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 44.5% take federal loans at Penn State. File your FAFSA early and list Penn State as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Penn State Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $63,435. That's about 56% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 1165 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Penn State
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Penn State Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango run about $63,435 a year.
At about $26,545 a year, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango is on the more affordable end.
About 40.6% receive a Pell Grant at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 90.9%, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
A strong SAT score matters at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango — aim above 1170, ideally within the 1040–1230 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango is November 1. Admission decisions are released by December 24. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 65. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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