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Pennsylvania State University acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as Penn State
Pennsylvania State University accepts 61% of applicants. It is a public university in University Park, Pennsylvania, with about 42,284 undergraduates. The sticker price is $36,444 a year for state residents, but after aid the average family pays $33,675.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for Penn State?
Admitly estimates a typical Pennsylvania resident needs about a 3.5 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.9 for admission to be likely (80%+).
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into Pennsylvania State University by GPA
Assumes an SAT of 1330, the middle score for admitted students (tests are optional here). A higher or lower score moves these numbers. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | Pennsylvania resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 20% Reach | 7% Reach |
| 2.7 | 20% Reach | 7% Reach |
| 3.0 | 22% Reach | 8% Reach |
| 3.3 | 41% Target | 17% Reach |
| 3.5 | 56% Target | 28% Reach |
| 3.7 | 71% Target | 42% Target |
| 3.9 | 82% Likely | 57% Target |
| 4.0 | 86% Likely | 64% Target |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
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Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at Pennsylvania State University
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $36,444 a year for state residents including room and board.
| Family income | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50k | $22,200 | $41,200 |
| $50k – $100k | $25,500 | $44,500 |
| $100k – $150k | $31,900 | $51,000 |
| $150k – $250k | $36,400 | $58,800 |
| Over $250k | $36,400 | $58,800 |
Out-of-state figures add most of the tuition difference, since state grants rarely follow students across state lines.
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about Pennsylvania State University
What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University?
Pennsylvania State University admits 61% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into Pennsylvania State University?
Admitly estimates a typical Pennsylvania resident needs about a 3.5 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.9 for admission to be likely (80%+). This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores, activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Pennsylvania State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1240–1420 on the SAT and 27–32 on the ACT. Submitting scores is optional.
How much does Pennsylvania State University cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $36,444 a year for state residents including room and board, but the average family pays $33,675 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $22,200 in-state.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University?
85% of students finish their degree, and 93% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to Pennsylvania State University
- University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA · admits 58%
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · admits 80%
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · admits 79%
- Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH · admits 61%
- University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC · admits 60%
- University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MA · admits 60%