Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
94.7% Acceptance Rate
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
94.7%Acceptance Rate
1125Avg SAT
$26,295Annual Cost
$63,435Grad Salary
43.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
94.7%
Avg SAT
1125
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1020–1215
Avg Net Price
$14,721
Need-Based Aid
43.5% receive Pell
Pennsylvania State University-Greater Allegheny is a branch campus of Penn State, offering a personalized, intimate learning experience while granting access to the vast resources of the larger university system. Admissions focus on high academic performance in a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum. The university seeks students who are ready to excel in a supportive environment and who show potential for academic and professional growth.
Successful applicants should emphasize their involvement in school or community initiatives that showcase their ability to collaborate and lead. Because the campus is smaller, the admissions committee looks for individuals who are actively looking to build close relationships with faculty and peers. Articulating how the student intends to leverage both the campus-specific and broader university-wide resources for their long-term career goals will strengthen an application significantly.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny Acceptance Rate
Admission at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny is inclusive by design. 94.7% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 94.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny 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
⏳ 88 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 Greater Allegheny'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 Greater Allegheny (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 Greater Allegheny Average SAT Score: 1125
Admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny average a 1125 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1125 — Less Competitive
A 1125 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1215 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1020? 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 | 548 | 515 | 580 |
| SAT Reading | 570 | 505 | 635 |
| SAT Composite | 1125 | 1020 | 1215 |
A score under 1020 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1215+ 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 1150
Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny (Penn State) with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, 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.
Name Greater Allegheny explicitly on your MyPennState application
Penn State runs one unified application across all its campuses. Failing to specify Greater Allegheny as your first or second choice can route your file toward a different campus entirely.
Visit campus or attend an admissions event to waive your application fee
This is a concrete, no-cost way to demonstrate interest that Penn State explicitly offers here - take advantage of it rather than paying the standard fee.
Apply by Feb 1 for automatic merit scholarship consideration
Because this campus is small, scholarship dollars here are less oversubscribed than at University Park - timing your application matters more than it might elsewhere in the Penn State system.
Build a strong outside-the-classroom record if you want Honors
The Honors Program is invitation-only, based on your general admission file plus experiences outside class - there's no separate application, so make sure those activities show up in your original materials.
Expert Insight:
Because Penn State's application system covers dozens of campuses at once, some students submit without ever specifying Greater Allegheny as a choice, assuming "Penn State" defaults to University Park. Confirm your campus choice explicitly before submitting.
Penn State Profile
Full Name
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny (Penn State)
City
McKeesport
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
15132-7644
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.
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 $26,295/year at Penn State. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $14,721.
At Penn State, 43.5% receive a Pell Grant and 63.9% 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 Greater Allegheny. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
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 Greater Allegheny graduates earn a moderate median salary of $63,435/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny is relatively affordable, around $26,295/year.
43.5% of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny's acceptance rate is 94.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1125, and within the 1020–1215 range, keeps you competitive.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny'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 Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny'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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