Cost of Penn State
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $24,858 |
|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $15,300 |
|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $25,946 |
|---|
| Housing and food (on campus) | $15,346 |
|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
|---|
| Average net price after aid | $14,429 |
|---|
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|
| $0–30,000 | $10,447 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $9,661 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $11,182 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $16,224 |
| $110,001+ | $23,678 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with Penn State's net price calculator ↗.
Majors and programs at Penn State
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (31)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 13 | $84,461 | $22,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 19 | $82,877 | $23,749 |
| Computer Science | 75 | $70,117 | $22,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 60 | $69,230 | $22,147 |
| Information Science/Studies | 108 | $68,240 | $23,500 |
| Engineering | 9 | $67,873 | $27,000 |
| Mathematics | — | $67,059 | $23,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 65 | $64,480 | $25,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 20 | $63,116 | $23,074 |
| Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians | — | $61,604 | $20,000 |
| Physics | 1 | $55,968 | $20,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 1 | $54,078 | $22,598 |
| Business/Commerce | 103 | $52,236 | $23,873 |
| Political Science and Government | 1 | $46,124 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 33 | $44,879 | $26,000 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 2 | $44,488 | $23,810 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 80 | $41,573 | $24,180 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 34 | $40,786 | $23,601 |
| Business/Corporate Communications | 53 | $39,635 | $25,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 56 | $38,413 | $23,375 |
| Biology | 49 | $38,378 | $23,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1 | $38,359 | $25,526 |
| Psychology | 2 | $37,593 | $23,642 |
| History | 12 | $37,190 | $21,921 |
| English Language and Literature | 21 | $35,537 | $23,361 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 14 | $34,927 | $24,179 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 85 | $33,367 | $20,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 17 | $30,936 | $26,000 |
| Area Studies | 2 | — | $24,250 |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | 3 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 10 | — | — |
Certificate programs (7)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1 | $95,718 | $18,750 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 11 | $72,546 | $26,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 9 | $65,324 | $26,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 1 | $59,098 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 1 | — | $27,000 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 19 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (3)
Graduate certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Pennsylvania
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg | $21,129 | 87% | $58,077 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg | $21,084 | 92% | $59,893 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Erie | $23,165 | 97% | $71,762 |
| Lincoln University | Lincoln University | $13,517 | 66% | $53,919 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville | $18,817 | 86% | $58,443 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | Altoona | $21,714 | 98% | $71,762 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown | $22,146 | 91% | $57,647 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | Middletown | $16,753 | 98% | $71,762 |
All colleges in Pennsylvania →
Frequently asked questions
What is Penn State's acceptance rate?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington admits 97% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,181 on the SAT.
How much does Penn State cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $24,858 a year (tuition and fees: $15,300 in-state, $25,946 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $14,429 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $10,447.
How much do Penn State graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $71,762 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 46th of 113 similar colleges in Pennsylvania. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer and information sciences ($84,461 a year after graduation).
What is Penn State's graduation rate?
22% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 77% of first-year students return for a second year.