Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Hazleton, Pennsylvania
91% Acceptance Rate
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91%Acceptance Rate
1200Avg SAT
$29,977Annual Cost
$63,435Grad Salary
47.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91%
Avg SAT
1200
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1060–1320
Avg Net Price
$20,062
Need-Based Aid
47.8% receive Pell
Penn State Hazleton, founded in 1934, is a Commonwealth Campus located on 100 acres in northeastern Pennsylvania. The campus offers the first two years of all Penn State majors plus 4 bachelor's degrees that can be completed locally. Hazleton features modern facilities including the Evelyn Graham Academic Building and the Kostos Building, maintaining a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The campus's '2+2' program provides a smooth transition to Penn State's University Park or other campuses.
Hazleton's location provides internship opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics industries. The campus's Continuing Education department offers workforce development programs aligned with regional needs. Hazleton's partnership with Luzerne County Community College facilitates transfer pathways, while its STEM outreach programs serve local schools. The campus hosts cultural events including the annual Penn State Hazleton Arts and Lecture Series.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton Acceptance Rate
Admission at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton is inclusive by design: 91% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton 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
⏳ 92 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
Built from Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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 Hazleton (Penn State) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Penn State — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
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 Hazleton Average SAT Score: 1200
Admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton average a 1200 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1200 — Slightly Competitive
A 1200 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1320 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1060? A retake is worth it at Penn State — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 595 | 520 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 595 | 540 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1200 | 1060 | 1320 |
A score under 1060 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1320+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton (Penn State) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in Penn State's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Penn State
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Penn State is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Decide your track before you apply: direct-completion or 2+2
Penn State Hazleton lets you either complete an entire associate's or bachelor's degree on this campus, or complete your first two years here and transition to University Park or another Penn State campus to finish. Declare which path you intend during your admissions and advising conversations early, since course sequencing and program mapping differ depending on which track you're on.
Know the higher bar for Childhood and Early Adolescent Education
Most Hazleton programs require only a 2.0 minimum GPA, but the Childhood and Early Adolescent Education, PK-4 program requires a 3.0 minimum. If your GPA sits between 2.0 and 3.0, have a direct conversation with the Assistant Director of Admissions about alternative entry paths - such as starting in a related major and transitioning in - rather than assuming the standard threshold applies.
Check the Amazon Career Choice partnership if it applies to you
Penn State Hazleton partners with Amazon's Career Choice program, letting Amazon employees earn credit toward bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificates at Hazleton. This is a distinct benefit from standard financial aid and isn't advertised on general admissions pages - worth asking about directly if you or a family member works at Amazon.
Apply by November 30 even though admission is rolling
Penn State states plainly that admissions criteria rise as the cycle progresses, and decision timelines get progressively later - by January 31 for November 30 applicants, by February 28 for December 31 applicants, and after March 31 for later applicants. Applying early doesn't just get you a faster answer; it means competing against a smaller, less-filled applicant pool for your first-choice program.
Expert Insight:
Because Penn State's admission system spans many campuses and pathways - direct-to-Hazleton, the 2+2 route to University Park, and Smeal College of Business's separate criteria at University Park - applicants sometimes assume one uniform GPA or process applies everywhere. In reality, specific programs like Childhood and Early Adolescent Education (3.0 minimum) or Smeal Business carry their own distinct thresholds that only surface if you check per-program requirements directly.
Penn State Profile
Full Name
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton (Penn State)
City
Hazleton
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
18202-8025
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Penn State Degree Worth It?
At $29,977/year against a $63,435 median graduate salary, Penn State is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $63,400, and graduates see a 3.15% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Penn State Cost?
Listed tuition runs $29,977/year at Penn State; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $20,062.
At Penn State, 47.8% receive a Pell Grant and 64.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Penn State on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Penn State Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Penn State graduates report a median income of $63,435, 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 Hazleton. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Penn State
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Penn State Admissions
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton graduates earn a moderate median salary of $63,435/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton is relatively affordable, around $29,977/year.
47.8% of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton's acceptance rate is 91%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1200, and within the 1060–1320 range, keeps you competitive.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton's deadline is November 1, with decisions out by December 24. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton charges an application fee of 65; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026 — that's Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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