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

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington Acceptance Rate

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington (Penn State) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 92%, 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

Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 92% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.42 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.22 – 3.41

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 2.97

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

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

Penn State GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at Penn State is 3.42. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.

A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.

If your GPA is between 3.12 and 3.42, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.

Check Your Admission Chances at Penn State

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington (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 Abington Average SAT Score: 1179

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington is 1179 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1179 — Less Competitive

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1179 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1090, 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 1090 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 1310 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 Abington (Penn State) with a 1300 SAT?

With a 1300 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington (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 Abington (Penn State) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Penn State is 24.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 24 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington with a 27 ACT?

A 27 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington — 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 Abington 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 Abington — 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 Abington 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 27 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 24

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Penn State

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Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

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

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Huntingdon College	Montgomery, AL	1148	23
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
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 Abington. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Arkansas	Fayetteville, AR	1174	25
Harding University	Searcy, AR	1187	25
Nova Southeastern University	Fort Lauderdale, FL	1182	25
Savannah College of Art and Design	Savannah, GA	1178	25
Spelman College	Atlanta, GA	1184	24

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington. 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 Mobile	Mobile, AL	1220	24
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott	Prescott, AZ	1256	27
John Brown University	Siloam Springs, AR	1222	26
Ouachita Baptist University	Arkadelphia, AR	1212	25

Degree Programs at Penn State

Bachelor Degree Programs

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Penn State Admissions