How To Get Into Penn State University (PSU)
Penn State University is a popular college and has a 55% acceptance rate, but they are changing some of their admissions requirements, which may make admission easier.
Founded in 1855, Pennsylvania State University (PSU) has 20 undergraduate campuses throughout the state of Pennsylvania, but the primary campus is located in University Park. Since its founding, Penn State's reputation for academics and extracurricular activities has continued to grow, which has made it a very popular choice for high school graduates pursuing higher education.
Due to its popularity, the admissions process at PSU has become competitive and the school has a 55% acceptance rate. Students need to make sure they meet several qualifications to increase their chances of enrollment.
What Is the Acceptance Rate at Penn State?
There are two acceptance rates at PSU, early action or early decision admissions and regular college admissions. The regular Penn State acceptance rate is 55% for first-year college students who apply for normal enrollment.
Early action and early decision are for students who apply early to a college. In an early decision application, the student is bound to attend the school if they are accepted. Early action is very similar, but commitment is deferred. The early acceptance rate for PSU is 65.3%.
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Penn State Admissions Requirements
Penn State is regularly considered one of the best colleges in America, which makes it a highly desired college for applicants every academic year.
The admissions requirements for Penn State differ slightly based on the academic college that a student is applying for, but there are several common requirements regardless of campus or academic college. These include:
- In 2025, Penn State is becoming a test-optional school, meaning that a student's standardized test scores, such as their ACT score or SAT score, can be considered for admission, but it won't be required.
- Students must have a High School diploma or transcripts through their last completed year of high school and proper GED documentation.
- Penn State has no minimum High School GPA, but the middle percentile GPA for all 20 campuses was 3.15-3.94.
- Students applying to PSU will have to pay a $65 college application fee.
International Students
International students make up around 10% of the student body at PSU, but the application process for these students has different requirements. The main difference is that the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) is required by all international students (except those from South Korea).
Students looking to enroll at PSU from other countries will also have to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
How To Apply at Penn State
The Penn State application process has a few key steps, regardless of application type.
- Step 1: Review majors and academic colleges. This will help you make sure you meet the requirements for the degree program that you'll be pursuing.
- Step 2: Evaluate your campus options. Even though University Park is the largest campus, tuition rates are reduced at some of the other locations. Picking the right campus for you can lower your college costs. You might even prefer online learning to on-campus college.
- Step 3: Confirm application deadlines. Make sure you submit all the relevant information on or before the deadlines to make sure your application will be processed by the admissions office for the semester you want to join PSU.
- Step 4: Fill out and submit your application. Fill out all the relevant documents via MyPennState or Common App. Remember that you will need to pay a $65 application fee or $75 for international students.
- Step 5:Submit any additional documents such as SRAR, Standardized Test scores, and any other relevant documents.
- Step 6: Confirm your application status and wait for your admissions decision.
Tips for Applying to Penn State
Although a student's application review will be primarily focused on their academics, PSU also reviews some of the other factors that make a student unique. The application process, depending on the student's chosen academic college, might also include:
- an audition
- cultural and demographic background of the student
- a personal statement or letters of recommendation
- portfolio review
Success in any of these areas won't guarantee admissions if other criteria aren't met, but they can help improve the overall chance of acceptance.
FAQs About Getting into Penn State
Students applying to Penn State often have a few common questions about applying and on-campus life at PSU.
What Is the Cost of Tuition at PSU?
Tuition rates vary for the three main groups of students: in-state, out-of-state, and international students. In-state students pay an average of $19,672 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state and international students will pay an average of $39,626. International students will pay about $41,126.
These rates are before any financial aid, which both in-state and out-of-state students can qualify for after filling out FAFSA online application forms. Additionally, these tuition rates are for full-time on-campus students and could change based on the number of credit hours taken per semester.
Lastly, these rates are just tuition and fees. Attending college also includes costs like room and meals, which can add several thousand dollars to the overall costs.
What Is the Graduation Rate at Penn State?
The 6-year graduation rate for a bachelor's degree at PSU is 83% for students who began studies in the fall of 2016. The 4-year graduation rate for a bachelor's degree is 69%. By comparison, the national average for Public universities, like PSU, is 67.4%.
Does Penn State prefer the SAT or ACT?
Penn State has no preference between the two standardized tests. As of the 2025 academic year, PSU will be test-optional. This means that SAT and ACT scores will still be considered, but neither is required.
How Hard Is It To Get into Penn State?
PSU has an acceptance rate of 55%, meaning that acceptance is fairly competitive, but a majority of applicants are still accepted. If you're looking to apply at PSU, making sure you meet the requirements for your chosen academic college will help you increase your odds of admission.
