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Pennsylvania State University

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By OnlineU Writers • Updated 6/15/2023

Pennsylvania State University (PSU, also known as Penn State) in University Park is a public institution serving almost 89,000 students, including distance learners, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (). Penn State offers 108 online degree programs, including 7 online associate degrees, 41 online bachelor's degrees, 56 online master's degrees, and 4 online doctoral degrees. There are also 81 online certificates at the undergraduate and graduate levels available. Disciplines are diverse, ranging from business and education to nursing and engineering.

FAQs About Pennsylvania State University

Is Pennsylvania State University Online?


Yes, Penn State is online, with over 175 degrees and certificates at the undergraduate and graduate levels. NCES data shows that 13% of undergraduates and 42% of graduate students participate in online-only education at Penn State through its World Campus. 

The U.S. Department of Education's shows that Penn State has a higher-than-average 70% graduation and an 87% retention rate.

Examples of online bachelor's degrees include digital journalism and media, international politics, project and supply chain management, and security and risk analysis. Online master's degrees include artificial intelligence, corporate innovation and entrepreneurship, educational leadership, and geodesign, among many others.

Is Pennsylvania State University a Good School?


Yes, Penn State is a good school. It's made 11 of our rankings list, including #2 for Best Online Bachelor's in Finance Degrees, #3 for Best Online IT Degrees, and #5 for Best jmcomicÂþ»­s in Pennsylvania and Best Online Political Science Degrees.

Along with its high graduation and retention rates, which speak to the school's ability to keep students motivated and engaged, its average median earnings for graduates are higher than average at approximately $61,200, which may indicate that students are well-trained and prepared for life after graduation.

Additionally, Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (). This accreditation status signifies that MSCHE finds Penn State's financial practices sound and its academic programming meets federal quality standards. Additionally, Penn State is programmatically accredited by 22 industry-specific agencies in addition to its institutional accreditation. 

To provide the most trustworthy results, OnlineU only includes accredited online institutions on its site. 

What Is Pennsylvania State University Known For?


Penn State has a history of delivering distance education for over 125 years. Its World Campus opened in 1998 and hosts more than 20,000 students representing diverse countries across the globe. Students are from places such as the U.S., Canada, China, South Korea, and India. Penn State has the second-largest alumni network in the world, with over 750,000 graduates. 

Penn State is also known for its student services to distance learners, including access to services — such as academic advising; career counseling; library resources; tutorials; mental health services; disability services; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging resources.  

Which Degrees at Pennsylvania State University Provide the Highest Earnings for Graduates?


According to College Scorecard, Penn State's bachelor's degrees in computer and information science, biomedical/medical engineering, and computer engineering provide the highest earnings. Graduates in these fields earn high median annual salaries of approximately $101,500, $97,100, and $95,500, accordingly. 

Additionally, OnlineU's proprietary Salary Score ranks colleges by how much their alumni earn compared to graduates with the same degree nationwide. Penn State has a bachelor's salary score of 64, 71 for its master's degrees, and 58 for its doctoral degrees. Its bachelor's degree in natural resources management and policy has a perfect salary score of 100.

Is Getting Into Pennsylvania State University Difficult?


Getting into Penn State is easy. College Scorecard data shows it accepts 92% of applicants. While entrance exam scores are considered, they are not required, which can help level the playing field for some. However, accepted students who submit their scores have combined SAT scores between 1140 and 1360 and ACT scores between 25 and 31.

What GPA Do You Need To Get Into Pennsylvania State University?


According to its , there is no minimum GPA requirement. However, accepted Penn State students were admitted with GPAs between 3.12 and 3.93. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the GPA, the higher your chances of being accepted when applying to college.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Pennsylvania State University?


Although individual degree programs may have additional requirements, Penn State's for first-year baccalaureate students generally include the following:

  • An application 
  • A $65 application fee
  • Official high school transcripts, GED scores, or homeschool program transcripts
  • Official college transcripts, if transferring credits
  • Official military transcripts, if applicable

Additionally, submitting SAT/ACT scores is optional.

If you're still exploring schools, we've identified some of the most popular online colleges to help with your search.