Penn State Undergraduate Enrollment Statistics: A Comprehensive Overview

The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) stands as a prominent public, state-related, land-grant research university with a widespread network of campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, it was designated the state's first land-grant university in 1863. Beyond its land-grant status, Penn State holds distinctions as a sea-grant, space-grant, and sun-grant university. Classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity," it is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). As of fall 2024, Penn State's enrollment remains steady, with 87,995 students enrolled across the University’s campuses.

Overall Enrollment Trends

Penn State's overall enrollment for fall 2023 remained stable at 87,903 students, a minor decrease of 0.2% (213 students) compared to fall 2022. This slight dip is part of the fluctuations observed in recent years, particularly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these variations, Penn State continues to be a popular destination for students from Pennsylvania and worldwide.

In fall 2024, the university welcomed 16,239 first-year undergraduate students. Penn State remains one of the largest public universities in the United States with 87,995 students enrolled across the University’s campuses.

University Park Campus

The largest of Penn State's 24 campuses, Penn State University Park, is situated in State College and College Township in Centre County, central Pennsylvania. As of the fall of 2023, the University Park campus boasts a total undergraduate enrollment of 42,223 students. The setting is rural, with a sprawling campus size of 7,958 acres.

Commonwealth Campuses

Nineteen campus locations throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania offer enrollment for undergraduate students. Over 60 percent of Penn State first-year students begin their education at a location other than University Park. Each of the 19 commonwealth campuses offer a unique set of degree programs based on the student demographics. Across all 20 Penn State Commonwealth Campuses combined, there was a small decline in resident instruction enrollment (a decrease of 471 students, or -2%) with individual campuses experiencing a range of enrollment trends, including slight increases at some locations and marked decreases at others. The Commonwealth Campuses saw a modest decrease of 0.8% (231 students) for a total enrollment of 28,558 in residential and online programs in fall 2023, compared to the previous year.

Read also: Enrollment at Notre Dame

Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus, or Penn State Online, launched in 1998, offers more than 60 online education programs, degrees, and certificates. Overall enrollment in Penn State World Campus dipped 3% (415 students) from fall 2022, as trends continue to adjust following the COVID-19 pandemic. A slight decline (3.0%, or 415 students) in overall Penn State World Campus enrollments, in part due to fewer residential students opting for a temporary shift to remote learning than during the pandemic. Distance education has a long history at Penn State, one of the first universities in the country to offer a correspondence course for remote farmers in 1892.

Diversity and Underrepresented Students

Penn State has demonstrated a commitment to attracting and serving mission-based populations and recruiting and graduating a diverse student body. The university recognizes the benefits of a learning environment where individuals from various backgrounds, identities, and perspectives collaborate.

The University also saw an increase in the overall number of first-generation students (487 students, or 2.7%), totaling 18,389 or 25.1% of the undergraduate population, in addition to growth in overall enrollment of underrepresented minority students (516 students, or 3.8%).

The percentage of students from underrepresented backgrounds has seen a steady uptick in the last five years. The five-year trend in underrepresented student enrollment growth is a result of Penn State’s ongoing commitment to building a diverse student base.

Underrepresented Minority Students

The overall population of underrepresented minority students - defined by federal rules as those who self-identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander - increased by 3.8% (516 students) across all campuses, despite declines in the incoming class. This overall growth is largely driven by slight increases in first-year underrepresented minority classes in recent years and intentional efforts to increase retention and graduation rates.

While underrepresented minority student enrollment has increased overall, the incoming class of first-time, full-time undergraduate resident students at Penn State is less diverse, with 280 fewer students (-9.8%) who self-identify as a member of at least one underrepresented minority group enrolled this fall compared to last. The most significant declines are among out-of-state underrepresented minority students with low to no financial aid need. The Commonwealth Campuses saw a decline (-8.4% or 578 students) in first-year undergraduate enrollment.

International Students

Following several years of fluctuations driven by the pandemic, overall international student enrollment numbers have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels. After a nearly 7% increase in the University’s overall international student population from fall 2021 to fall 2022, enrollment is down slightly this fall, by 2.5% (252 students). Last year’s numbers directly reflected a rebound after declines experienced during the height of COVID-19. Across all campuses, enrollment of international students in graduate programs has increased by 4.2% (126 students) at University Park and 9.0% (20 students) at the Commonwealth Campuses. Across the institution, 46.5% of all residential graduate students are international students. Penn State continues to demonstrate its strength as a premiere destination for over 9,600 international students from more than 140 countries around the world.

Factors Influencing Enrollment

Several factors influence Penn State's enrollment trends, including:

The University's reputation: Penn State is recognized for its depth and breadth of academic program offerings, a strong sense of community, and extensive employer and alumni networks.
The changing enrollment landscape: Penn State is committed to providing students with curricular and co-curricular opportunities and experiences at scale that other institutions simply cannot replicate that are valuable and valued by employers and in post-baccalaureate education.
The COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic has caused fluctuations in enrollment, particularly in online programs and among international students.
Retention and graduation rates: Intentional efforts to increase retention and graduation rates have contributed to the growth of underrepresented minority student enrollment.
Financial aid: Declines in enrollment have been observed among out-of-state underrepresented minority students with low to no financial aid need.

Academic Profile and Admissions

The student-faculty ratio at The Pennsylvania State University-University Park is 15:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The Pennsylvania State University-University Park accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.

Admissions Selectivity

In 2023, the university received 85,957 applications and extended offers of admission to 46,605 applicants (54%) after a holistic review that included examination of academic rigor, performance, and admissions test scores. The university started test-optional admissions with the fall 2021 incoming class. Of the 33% of incoming students in 2023 who submitted SAT scores, the interquartile range was 1230-1390; of the 6% of incoming students in 2023 who submitted ACT scores, the interquartile range was 27-32. Pennsylvania State University Park is a college-sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program and sponsored five Merit Scholarship awards in 2020.

Read also: Inside UNH's Student Body

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

The school's in-state tuition and fees are $20,644; out-of-state tuition and fees are $41,790. Forty-three percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $32,223.

Graduation and Retention Rates

Over the past 10 years, four- and six-year graduation rates have steadily increased overall. Four-year graduation rates have risen by 11.2%, from 48.7% in 2010 to 59.9% in 2020, including increases at University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses and among Pell Grant recipients. The four-year graduation rate is 72%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $55,620.

Rankings and Accreditation

The Pennsylvania State University-University Park is ranked No. 63 in National Universities and No. 30 in Top Public Schools in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Academic Ranking of World Universities ranked Penn State between 101 and 150th among universities globally and between 42nd and 56th nationally for 2020.

Campus Life and Student Activities

Penn State offers a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for student involvement. As of September 2014, 864 student organizations were recognized at the University Park campus. The university also has one of the largest Greek systems in the country, with approximately 12 percent of the University Park population affiliated.

THON

Annually in February, thousands of students participate in the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON). Started in 1973 with 78 participants, THON has grown to become the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Every year, participants stand for 46 hours nonstop and perform a line dance at least once every hour to stay alert alongside other events hosted throughout the weekend such as concerts, games, athlete hour, family hour, and a tribute to all of the children with cancer. THON raises millions of dollars annually for childhood cancer care and research for its sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds.

The Lion's Pantry

The Lion's Pantry is an undergraduate student-run on-campus food pantry and registered student organization. The Lion's Pantry serves undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. They partner with groups ranging from Boulevard, UPUA, Greek Life, and more to receive over 8,000 food donations a year.

Safety and Security

Twenty-two of Penn State's campuses are served by Penn State University Police and Public Safety. Penn State University Park is also served by the Penn State University Ambulance Service, known as Centre County Company 20. Penn State EMS is a full-service, licensed ambulance service, staffed by student EMTs.

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