Colleges Penn State University

Penn State www.psu.edu

Penn State University is a public institution that was founded in 1855. It’s set on a massive 7,958-acre campus in University Park, a spacious location also known as Happy Valley. The largest of the University’s campuses, Penn State University Park is located in State College and College Township in Centre County, in central Pennsylvania. Each of the 19 commonwealth campuses offer a unique set of degree programs based on the student demographics. A large percentage of first-year students begin their education at a location other than University Park. Students in good academic standing are guaranteed a spot at University Park to finish the final two years of a degree, known as the 2+2 program. With more than 1,000 clubs and organizations, there are broad opportunities to get involved in campus life. Across the street from campus is State College, a bustling small town with an array of coffee shops, restaurants, shops and bars populated mostly by students. Surrounded by mountains, the school is also close to skiing, snowboarding and hiking opportunities.

Academics

Penn State University is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified among R1 Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activities. The University has two law schools: Penn State Law in University Park and Penn State Dickinson Law in Carlisle. Penn State University College of Medicine located in Hershey, is the University’s medical school and teaching hospital. Penn State features more than 160 baccalaureate degree and graduate degree programs. Many students start their degree at one of the 19 Penn State undergraduate campuses across the state and complete their requirements at University Park. The student-faculty ratio at Penn State is 15:1, and the school has 31% of classes with fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include Information Science, Biology, and Economics.

Special Highlights

Education Abroad Fair. Each year, Penn State hosts exhibitors from over 50 different study abroad partners to bring students the information they want about education abroad! Speak with representatives from universities and study centers abroad. Meet advisers from your college that know which courses and locations are best for your major. Learn more about 350+ study abroad programs and how to apply for scholarships, as well as other support and resources.

The Materials Research Institute. Penn State’s investment in its interdisciplinary research institutes, including the Materials Research Institute (MRI), has created a culture of strong collaborations across disciplines. This mingling of disciplines, often called “convergence,” brings together the physical and life sciences with engineering and computation to solve the most complex problems facing society today and in the future.

School Mission & Unique Qualities

From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Outside of the classroom, students have opportunities to round out their education through entrepreneurship, philanthropy, research, internships, and more. THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, helps to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and awareness. As part of its “Invent Penn State” initiative, the University has funded more than 20 innovation hubs, designed to bolster entrepreneurship and economic development in communities surrounding its campuses across Pennsylvania. Penn State’s Alumni Association has more than 174,000 members, making it among the nation’s largest with more than 300 chapters, societies, and interest groups worldwide.

Student Reviews…

“Penn State is big on diversity and there is something for everyone here. Over a thousand different clubs, there are a multitude of things to do on and around campus. I also love the school spirit. Everyone is enthusiastic about being a part of Penn State.”