Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg (Penn State) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg (Penn State) Test Requirements

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 2026 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.

Can I Get Into Penn State Without SAT or ACT?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg Average SAT Score: 1218

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is 1218 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1218 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1218 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1110, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Penn State. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1110 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 1320 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 1200

Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg (Penn State) with a 1300 SAT?

With a 1300 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg (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.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg (Penn State) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Penn State is 28.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 28 — Competitive

This score makes Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 28 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg with a 30 ACT?

A 30 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 30 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 28

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