PENN STATE ACCEPTANCE RATE

Are you interested in knowing the Penn State acceptance rate?
If so, you are on the right page. Relax and make sure you read this guide to the end.

This article focuses on admission statistics and requirements for
The Pennsylvania State University (popularly called Penn State).

About Penn State

The Pennsylvania State University is a public institution founded in 1855.
It is located in State College and operates on a semester-based academic calendar.

Key facts:

• Total undergraduate enrollment: 39,809 students (Fall 2020)

• Campus size: 7,958 acres

• Setting: City

• 2022 National Universities ranking: #63

• In-state tuition and fees: $18,898

• Out-of-state tuition and fees: $36,476

Penn State Acceptance Rate

Penn State is considered a moderately selective university.

• Overall acceptance rate: 54%

• Early acceptance rate: 67.9%

This means that roughly half of all applicants are admitted.

Penn State 2022 National Ranking

Penn State is ranked #63 in National Universities.
Schools in this category are ranked according to performance across widely accepted academic and institutional indicators.

Penn State Admissions Overview

Admission into Penn State is competitive, but not extremely selective.

• Acceptance rate: 54%

• Early acceptance rate: 67.9%

• Application deadline: Rolling

• Application fee: $65

Test scores of admitted students

Half of admitted students have:

• SAT: 1150 – 1340
  or

• ACT: 25 – 30

One quarter of admitted applicants score above these ranges, and one quarter score below them.

Penn State GPA Requirements

While Penn State does not publish a strict minimum GPA, the average GPA of admitted students is:

• Average GPA: 3.58

To be competitive:

• You should have mostly A’s and B’s

• Very few C’s

• Taking advanced courses such as AP or IB can strengthen your profile

If your GPA is below 3.58, a higher SAT or ACT score can help compensate.

SAT and ACT Requirements at Penn State

You may submit either the SAT or the ACT.

Good performance in one of these exams is very important for a strong application.

Penn State SAT Requirements

Although Penn State does not officially state a minimum SAT score, admitted students typically fall within the following range:

Penn State SAT Score Breakdown (New SAT – 1600 scale)

• A 1160 places you below average

• A 1370 places you well above average

SAT Score Choice Policy

Penn State uses a “Highest Sitting” policy.

This means:

• You can choose which SAT test date to submit.

• Only your best single test date is considered.

This allows you to retake the SAT and submit only your strongest result.

Penn State ACT Requirements

Typical admitted ACT scores:

• 25th percentile: 25

• 75th percentile: 30

Applicants with ACT scores below 25 may find it difficult to gain admission unless other parts of the application are exceptionally strong.

ACT Score Sending Policy

You can choose which ACT score to send.
Penn State generally considers your best single sitting.

SAT / ACT Writing Section

Penn State requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section and considers it as part of the admissions review.

SAT Subject Tests

Penn State does not generally require SAT Subject Tests.
However, applicants are encouraged to confirm this before applying.

Penn State Tuition & Financial Aid

• 42% of full-time undergraduates receive need-based financial aid

• Average need-based scholarship or grant: $7,774

Academic Life at Penn State

• Student–faculty ratio: 14:1

• Classes with fewer than 20 students: 34.2%

Popular majors include:

• Engineering

• Business, Management and Marketing

• Computer and Information Sciences

• Social Sciences

• Communication and Journalism

• Biological and Biomedical Sciences

• Health Professions

• Agriculture and Related Fields

• Physical Sciences

• Psychology

• Average freshman retention rate: 93%

Student Life at Penn State

• Total undergraduate population: 39,809

• Gender distribution:

  • 53% male

  • 47% female

• Students living in university housing: 26%

• Students living off-campus: 74%

• Penn State competes in NCAA Division I athletics

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How Hard Is It to Get into Penn State?

Because Penn State is moderately selective:

• A 1370 SAT or 30 ACT and above gives you a very strong chance of admission.

• Applicants close to the school’s average GPA (3.58) with strong test scores are highly competitive.

However:

• A 1160 SAT or 25 ACT and below places you at the lower end of the admitted range and significantly reduces your chances.

Strong academic performance remains the most important factor in admission.