2024 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$24,012
Net Price
92%
Admitted
18%
Enrolled
73%
Graduation Rate
15/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
The Pennsylvania State University
is a public, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 88,914. In 2021, there were 1,080 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #7 in Pennsylvania and ranks #140 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Certificate, Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
1,080
Total Enrollment
88,914
Type
Public, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Ranking for The Pennsylvania State University
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
Pennsylvania Rank
Combining ranking factors for 93 schools that offer psychology degrees in Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania State University ranks #7.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., The Pennsylvania State University ranks #140.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, The Pennsylvania State University offers Counseling and Applied Psychology, Counseling Psychology and General Psychology at the certificate level. At the bachelor level, the university offers General Psychology, Research Psychology and Social Psychology. At the master level Clinical Psychology, Community Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Educational Psychology, Research Psychology and School Psychology are offered. At the doctorate level Counseling and Applied Psychology, Educational Psychology, Research Psychology and School Psychology are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | CERT | BS | MA | PhD |
| Clinical Psychology | – | – | 24 | – |
| Community Psychology | – | – | 3 | – |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | 10 | – | 32 | 7 |
| Counseling Psychology | 10 | – | – | – |
| Educational Psychology | – | – | 2 | 1 |
| General Psychology | 4 | 807 | – | – |
| Research Psychology | – | 73 | 21 | 28 |
| School Psychology | – | – | 3 | 6 |
| Social Psychology | – | 73 | – | – |
| Total Graduates | 24 | 953 | 85 | 42 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 96,686 students applied to the The Pennsylvania State University. The university admitted 92% and 18% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for Pennsylvania universities is 6,852. On average, all Pennsylvania institutions admit 77% and 23% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of The Pennsylvania State University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 87%. Compared to all Pennsylvania four or more years colleges, the percentage is 75%.
The overall graduation rate for The Pennsylvania State University is 73%, compared to 66% for all Pennsylvania universities.
Compare Penn State to Pennsylvania Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of The Pennsylvania State University to the average of all Pennsylvania four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
Penn State
96,686
Applicants
92%
Percent Admitted
18%
Percent Enrolled
87%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
73%
Graduation Rate
PA Colleges
6,852
Applicants
77%
Percent Admitted
23%
Percent Enrolled
75%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
66%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 7,004 or 82% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 1,580 or 18% part-time faculty members employed at The Pennsylvania State University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 5,915 or 69%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
Penn State
15 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
82%
Percent Full-Time
18%
Percent Part-Time
69%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
PA Colleges
13 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
52%
Percent Full-Time
48%
Percent Part-Time
51%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at The Pennsylvania State University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $15,400, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,840.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $23,189 and the average cost for graduate fees is $530.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend The Pennsylvania State University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for The Pennsylvania State University | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $12,744 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $4,788 |
| Total Living Expenses | $17,532 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $15,400 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,840 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $34,772 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $23,189 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $530 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $23,719 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend The Pennsylvania State University is $24,012. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Net Price by Family Income
Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend The Pennsylvania State University presented by family income bracket.
Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
| Average Net Price by Income | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| $0 – $30,000 | $20,391 | $20,054 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $21,699 | $20,871 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $26,010 | $25,260 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $30,103 | $30,295 |
| $110,001 and more | $32,193 | $32,510 |
Compare The Pennsylvania State University to all Pennsylvania universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
Penn State
$34,772
Cost to Attend
$9,887
Average Financial Aid
73%
Percent Receiving Aid
$24,012
Net Price
PA Colleges
$45,060
Cost to Attend
$18,452
Average Financial Aid
92%
Percent Receiving Aid
$21,691
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 11,094 or 73%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 41,629 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $9,887.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 41,629 | $9,887 |
| Pell Grants | 16,183 | $4,709 |
| Federal Student Loans | 33,145 | $6,643 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the The Pennsylvania State University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
Penn State
41,629
Grant or Scholarship Aid
46%
Grants or Scholarships
16,183
Number of Pell Grants
18%
Pell Grants
33,145
Federal Student Loans
36%
Federal Student Loans
PA Colleges
3,134
Grant or Scholarship Aid
49%
Grants or Scholarships
1,217
Number of Pell Grants
19%
Pell Grants
2,090
Federal Student Loans
32%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for Pennsylvania.
