More selective than 82% of Pennsylvania colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
33% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 6% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Pennsylvania State University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Pennsylvania State University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Pennsylvania State University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- High school GPA
- Rigor of high school courses
- SAT/ACT scores
- Talent or ability
- Where you live
- State residency
- Class rank
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Pennsylvania State University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.67. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
2,109 offered a spot, 1,153 took it, 46 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Pennsylvania State University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Pennsylvania State University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 620 | 700 |
| SAT math | 620 | 720 |
| ACT composite | 27 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1240 | 1420 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Pennsylvania State University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 61% | 620–700 | 620–720 | 27–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 54% | 610–690 | 610–710 | 27–32 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Pennsylvania State University compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Pennsylvania State University has the 21st-lowest acceptance rate of 111 Pennsylvania colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Lancaster Bible College | 56% | 67% | $25,480 |
| 18 | Moore College of Art and Design | 56% | 57% | $43,086 |
| 19 | Alvernia University | 58% | 56% | $28,138 |
| 20 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 58% | 86% | $30,434 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania State University | 61% | 86% | $32,875 |
| 22 | Marywood University | 61% | 72% | $23,388 |
| 23 | University of Valley Forge | 61% | 49% | $32,265 |
| 24 | Saint Vincent College | 62% | 69% | $23,510 |
| 25 | Chatham University | 62% | 63% | $29,954 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Pennsylvania colleges →
Who enrolls at Pennsylvania State University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Pennsylvania State University admissions questions
What is the Pennsylvania State University acceptance rate?
Pennsylvania State University accepts 61% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 46,605 of 85,956 applicants were admitted.
Does Pennsylvania State University require the SAT or ACT?
Pennsylvania State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 33% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Pennsylvania State University?
The middle 50% of Pennsylvania State University enrolled first-year students scored 1240–1420 on the SAT and 27–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Pennsylvania State University?
19% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (9,040 of 46,605).
What does Pennsylvania State University look for in applicants?
Pennsylvania State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA. Important: rigor of high school courses. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, talent or ability, where you live, state residency. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Pennsylvania State University have early decision?
No. Pennsylvania State University does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the Pennsylvania State University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 2,109 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 1,153 accepted one and 46 were admitted (4% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Pennsylvania State University getting harder to get into?
Pennsylvania State University accepted 61% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 54% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Pennsylvania State University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Pennsylvania State University overview