Cost of Penn State
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $27,779 |
|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $15,240 |
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| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $25,672 |
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| Housing and food (on campus) | $15,346 |
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| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
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| Average net price after aid | $18,053 |
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Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|
| $0–30,000 | $12,610 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $14,060 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $13,119 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $20,890 |
| $110,001+ | $25,917 |
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 (20)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Computer Engineering | 1 | $85,528 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 17 | $84,461 | $22,250 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 1 | $73,501 | $26,000 |
| Civil Engineering | — | $70,399 | $25,000 |
| Computer Science | 3 | $70,117 | $22,750 |
| Information Science/Studies | 27 | $68,240 | $23,500 |
| Engineering | 16 | $67,873 | $27,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 8 | $63,116 | $23,074 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 1 | $55,985 | $24,218 |
| Business/Commerce | 66 | $52,236 | $23,873 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 25 | $45,444 | $22,488 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 2 | $40,786 | $23,601 |
| Biology | 28 | $38,378 | $23,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1 | $38,359 | $25,526 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 30 | $38,150 | $26,000 |
| Psychology | 40 | $37,593 | $23,642 |
| Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs | — | $37,406 | $22,500 |
| English Language and Literature | 8 | $35,537 | $23,361 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2 | $34,927 | $24,179 |
| Area Studies | 3 | — | $24,250 |
Certificate programs (3)
Associate's degree programs (3)
Similar colleges in Pennsylvania
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|
| Lincoln University | Lincoln University | $13,517 | 66% | $53,919 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg | Greensburg | $17,075 | 95% | $73,113 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | Cheyney | $12,255 | — | $43,275 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | Bradford | $13,598 | 89% | $73,113 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley | Center Valley | $12,029 | 97% | $71,762 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown | $16,375 | 95% | $73,113 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | Reading | $19,570 | 99% | $71,762 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton | Dunmore | $12,204 | 99% | $71,762 |
All colleges in Pennsylvania →
Frequently asked questions
What is Penn State's acceptance rate?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine admits 98% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,200 on the SAT.
How much does Penn State cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $27,779 a year (tuition and fees: $15,240 in-state, $25,672 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $18,053 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $12,610.
How much do Penn State graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $71,762 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 39th of 113 similar colleges in Pennsylvania. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer engineering ($85,528 a year after graduation).
What is Penn State's graduation rate?
19% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 73% of first-year students return for a second year.