CollegeLister
For counselors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public university in a small city in the State College, PA metro with 42,223 students and a 61% acceptance rate.

University Park, Pennsylvania · Public · City, small · 42,223 students · R1 research university

NCAA Division I · Big TenEarly action Nov 1

Admission rate

61%

of applicants admitted

SAT average

1,337

combined, admitted students

ACT, middle half

27–32

25th to 75th percentile

Average net price

$32,875

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

86%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

92%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$63,435

10 years after entry

Students

42,223

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines, 2026–27

PlanDeadline
Early action
Apply early, hear early, not binding.		November 1, 2026
Rolling admission
The college reviews applications as they arrive until the class is full.		Rolling

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: psu.edu · checked September 30, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income

$0–30,000$19,845
$30,001–48,000$20,049
$48,001–75,000$25,667
$75,001–110,000$31,834
Over $110,000$37,831

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Finance533
Psychology512
Information Science/Studies427
Computer and Information Sciences426
Marketing/Marketing Management393
Mechanical Engineering385
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics340
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other330
Show the other 126 majors
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other319
Biology/Biological Sciences299
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance272
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration253
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels229
Exercise Science and Kinesiology221
Accounting219
Political Science and Government190
Journalism183
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia176
Organizational Behavior Studies168
Civil Engineering165
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering150
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering140
Industrial Engineering139
Mathematics136
Electrical and Electronics Engineering133
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other132
Chemical Engineering130
Communication Sciences and Disorders124
Data Science122
Architectural Engineering110
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other109
Biological and Physical Sciences106
Secondary Education and Teaching99
International Relations and Affairs97
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other97
Biochemistry93
Management Information Systems87
Health/Health Care Administration/Management86
Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations84
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management83
Pre-Veterinary Studies80
Labor and Industrial Relations76
Animal Sciences74
Nutrition Sciences72
Cinematography and Film/Video Production71
English Language and Literature71
Computer Engineering70
Petroleum Engineering68
Speech Communication and Rhetoric68
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other66
Statistics64
Architecture64
Sociology63
Physics62
History58
Materials Science57
Chemistry57
Mass Communication/Media Studies56
Human Development and Family Studies53
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other53
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies48
Geology/Earth Science48
Human-Centered Technology Design45
Informatics43
Forensic Science and Technology43
Philosophy36
Spanish Language and Literature36
Plant Sciences35
Art/Art Studies35
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other34
Anthropology34
Food Science34
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other34
Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology33
Astronomy33
Agricultural Engineering32
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology32
Engineering, Other29
Landscape Architecture29
Natural Resources/Conservation28
Music27
Biology/Biotechnology Technology/Technician27
Actuarial Science25
Agriculture25
Engineering Science25
Nuclear Engineering22
Geography and Environmental Studies22
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology22
Music Teacher Education21
Acting20
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering19
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other17
Landscaping and Groundskeeping17
Special Education and Teaching16
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other16
Development Economics and International Development15
Forest Sciences and Biology15
Graphic Design14
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics13
Toxicology13
Art History, Criticism and Conservation13
French Language and Literature12
Science, Technology and Society12
Design and Applied Arts, Other12
Turf and Turfgrass Management11
Agricultural and Extension Education Services10
African-American/Black Studies10
Women's Studies10
Art Teacher Education10
Visual and Performing Arts10
Comparative Literature8
Photography8
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology7
Humanities/Humanistic Studies7
German Language and Literature7
Chinese Language and Literature7
Sustainability Studies6
Foreign Language Teacher Education6
Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician6
Asian Studies/Civilization5
Italian Language and Literature5
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other4
Trade and Industrial Teacher Education2
Mining and Mineral Engineering2
Japanese Language and Literature2
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies2
Athletic Training/Trainer1
Music Performance1
Russian Language and Literature1
Korean Language and Literature1
Computer Software Engineering1
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication1
Near and Middle Eastern Studies1
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Ranked programs

Where Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus ranks in the top 25 on our top-programs lists, best rank first. How we rank programs

Show the other 7 ranked programs

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Big Ten

Baseball, Basketball, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball, Wrestling

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Big Ten

Basketball, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball

ROTC

Air Force, Navy

Faith groups

Cru

Also

Study abroad

Greek life

43% of men in fraternities · 23% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2022–23)

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), cru.org · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

City, small

Federal locale classification

Metro area

State College, PA

159,805 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

No

More about the place

Nearest airport

State College Regional (UNV)

Nearest hub airport

Pittsburgh International (PIT)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 13.7 of 20

Elevation

1,168 ft

Time zone

Eastern

January low

20°F

July high

81°F

Annual snowfall

43.8 in

Days at 90°F or higher

6 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$1,420 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Public, city campus, NCAA Division I, similar size