Last Updated: Sunday May 17, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto (Penn State) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Public Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education Mont Alto, Pennsylvania 90.3% Acceptance Rate

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

📍 Mont Alto, Pennsylvania 17237-9700 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 https://montalto.psu.edu/

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

90.3%Acceptance Rate
1170Avg SAT
$28,851Annual Cost
$63,435Grad Salary
26.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.3%
Avg SAT
1170
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1080–1230
Avg Net Price
$19,993
Need-Based Aid
26.1% receive Pell

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto, founded in 1903, is one of Penn State's oldest Commonwealth Campuses, known for its forestry and nursing programs. Nestled in Mont Alto, Pennsylvania, it features scenic surroundings, updated labs, and a student-centered learning environment.

As a top regional college, Mont Alto combines hands-on learning with small class sizes, offering direct pathways to Penn State's flagship programs while maintaining a strong focus on student success and career readiness.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto Acceptance Rate

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto (Penn State) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 90.3%, 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.

Selectivity at a Glance

Inclusive
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 90.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Check Your Admission Chances at Penn State

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto's verified institutional data

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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 Mont Alto (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 Mont Alto considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto Average SAT Score: 1170

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto is 1170 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1170 — Less Competitive

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1170 on the SAT.

SAT Math
570
SAT Reading
585
Composite
1170
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 Mont Alto allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1080, 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

SAT score percentiles for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math570530610
SAT Reading585550620
SAT Composite117010801230

It means that if you have scored less than 1080 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 Mont Alto (Penn State) with a 1250 SAT?

With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto (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.

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Penn State

Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer

Penn State provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.

Meet Eligibility Floors

Ensure you have your high school diploma or GED ready. Open admission means you are in as long as you meet the basic administrative requirements.

Placement Preparation

Focus on the ACCUPLACER or internal placement tests. Performing well here allows you to jump directly into credit-bearing Math and English.

Transfer Path Planning

If you intend to move to a more selective school later, maintain a 3.5+ GPA here to make yourself a highly competitive transfer candidate.

Career Certification

Identify specific certificate programs or internships offered by Penn State that connect directly to the local job market.

Note: While acceptance is guaranteed, space in specific high-demand programs (like Nursing or Tech) may still be competitive.

Penn State Profile

Full Name
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto (Penn State)
City
Mont Alto
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
17237-9700
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)

Is a Penn State Degree Worth It?

Getting into Penn State can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Penn State offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.

Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Penn State is $63,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.15%.

How much does a degree from Penn State Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto is $28,851. 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 Mont Alto is $19,993.

26.1% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 52.4 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 Mont Alto, 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 does a Penn State Graduate earn?

The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $63,435. 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 $40,595.

$28,851Annual Cost
$19,993Net Price
26.1%Pell Grant
52.4%Federal Loan
$63,435Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
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
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
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

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
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

Full list of all degree programs offered by Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto →

Frequently Asked Questions About Penn State Admissions

Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $63,435 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.

The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $28,851 per year, making it more affordable for many students.

26.1% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.

The acceptance rate of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto is 90.3% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.

Admission to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1170 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1080–1230.

Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.

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.

Last Updated: Sunday May 17, 2026

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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