Penn State Scranton, established in 1923, is a Commonwealth Campus located on 45 acres in northeastern Pennsylvania. The campus offers 10+ bachelor's degrees that can be completed locally, plus the first two years of all Penn State majors. Scranton features modern facilities including the Dawson Building for science and technology and the Study Learning Center, maintaining a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The campus's '2+2' program allows students to begin their Penn State education close to home.
Scranton's location provides internship opportunities in healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing. The campus's Business and Economic Development Center supports regional entrepreneurs, while its Continuing Education department offers workforce training programs. Scranton's partnership with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine enhances health sciences education. The campus hosts cultural events including the annual Penn State Downtown Lecture Series.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton Acceptance Rate
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton (Penn State) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 93.99%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Data verified via IPEDS and the 2025-2026 Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton Admission Requirements
Penn State GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Penn State utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 0, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
| Candidate GPA Range | Admission Category | Strategic Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 0.00 – 4.00 | Strategic Reach | Maintain Rigor & High Testing |
| -0.20 – -0.01 | Competitive Match | Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation |
| -0.40 – -0.21 | Secondary Reach | Personal Statement & Impact |
| Below -0.41 | Institutional Reach | Requires Significant Contextual Factors |
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- The Rigor Metric: At Penn State, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Calculated via College Portal’s Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards.
Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton (Penn State) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton Average SAT Score: 1130
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton is 1130 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1130 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1020, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to 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.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 560 | 510 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 565 | 510 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1130 | 1020 | 1230 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1020 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 1230 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 1150
Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton (Penn State) with a 1250 SAT?
With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton (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 AP 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.
Penn State Profile
Name: Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton (Penn State)
City: Dunmore
State: Pennsylvania
Type: Public
Zip: 18512-1602
Campus: Branch Campus
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-Penn State Scranton is USD: 26498. 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-Penn State Scranton is USD: 17896
How can I get a scholarship?
44.9% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 59.02 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-Penn State Scranton, 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
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Huntingdon College, AL | 1086 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Spring Hill College, AL | 1094 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee University, AL | 1091 | 21 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR | 1089 | 21 |
| Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Arkansas Tech University, AR | 1090 | 21 |
| University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | University of the Ozarks, AR | 1087 | 22 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, AR | 1088 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
| William Jessup University | William Jessup University, CA | 1130 | NA |
| Western Connecticut State University | Western Connecticut State University, CT | 1126 | 24 |
| Lynn University | Lynn University, FL | 1126 | 24 |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University | Palm Beach Atlantic University, FL | 1126 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas, AR | 1167 | 25 |
| Harding University | Harding University, AR | 1182 | 24 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Ouachita Baptist University, AR | 1180 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | Dominican University of California, CA | 1192 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | University of Colorado Colorado Springs, CO | 1180 | 25 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Anthropology
- Area Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business/Corporate Communications
- English Language and Literature, General
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- History
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $63435 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $26498 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are excellent, with more than a 80% chance, depending on your academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
Question: What is the acceptance rate for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton?
Answer: The acceptance rate of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton is 93.99 which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: How competitive is the SAT score requirement for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton?
Answer: Admission to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1130 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1020-1230
Question: Is it possible to transfer to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: What is the campus culture like at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton?
Answer: The campus culture at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton is diverse and vibrant, with numerous student organizations, sports teams, and cultural activities. It’s an ideal environment for personal growth and building lifelong connections.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.