Admission Statistics

Compare your high school record with the academic credentials of our incoming first-year class and get a look at the University’s enrollment statistics.

 

Penn State Statistics

Thank you for your interest in Penn State. In choosing a university to attend, it is important to find a good fit – a place that provides a challenging academic environment, allows you to pursue your interests, offers other students that share those interests, and also introduces you to new students and experiences that may expand your horizons. We think Penn State provides that very environment. Explore the important demographic information and admission statistics below to help you determine if it could be the right fit for you.


Class of 2026 Profile and Middle 50% GPA Data

The ranges in the chart below represent the middle 50 percent of students offered admission to their first-choice campus for summer/fall 2022—they are not cutoffs or averages. This chart is for estimating purposes only and in no way represents a promise or guarantee of admission.

Placing in the upper end of both ranges increases the likelihood of being offered your first choice of campus and/or major. Placing in the lower end may require you to be more flexible in making your campus (and perhaps major) choices. 

Academic Scale University Park All other Campuses
High School GPA (unweighted 4.0 scale ) 3.59-3.93 3.12-3.78
Summer/Fall 2022 Middle 50% GPA Statistics based on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
Academic Scale University Park All other Campuses
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math 1270-1450 1090-1310
Summer/Fall 2022 Middle 50% SAT Statistics
Scores computed based on a 1600-point scale.
*Test scores represent students admitted to their first-choice campus
Academic Scale University Park All other Campuses
Composite ACT 28-33 23-30
Summer/Fall 2022 Middle 50% ACT Statistics
*Test scores represent students admitted to their first-choice campus

First-Year Applicants Number
Total Applications University-wide 95,999
Total First-Year Students University-wide 15,443
Total First-Year Students at University Park 8,305
Total First-Year International Applications 14,962
Total First-Year International Students University-wide 1,360
Summer/Fall 2019 Class Profile

First-Year Application Evaluation

The most important piece of our review is your academic record, which represents your individual four years of academic development. Penn State’s assessment of application materials includes the academic courses, grades, and levels of those courses and standardized test scores (optional for summer/fall 2021), plus additional factors that may include an audition, a portfolio review, the geographic and cultural background of the student, the personal statement, and the activities list. We take a hard look at the many roles you serve as a student, sibling, athlete, son or daughter, volunteer, and/or employee. Assembling a class of students with diverse interests and experiences is a task that we take seriously.

Penn State does not have a minimum GPA or standardized test score used for admission. There are no such things as “cut-offs.” 


Transfer Student Statistics

The following represents key statistics for transfer students at Penn State.

Transfer Information Number
Total Applications University-wide 8,806
Total Transfer Students University-wide 3,201
Total Transfer Students at University Park 302
Total Transfer Students at Commonwealth Campuses 1,574
Total Transfer Students at World Campus 1,325
Summer/Fall 2019 Class Profile

Penn State Student Body Statistics

To get a better idea of the demographics and diversity of Penn State, review the key student statistics for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Enrollment Number
Total Undergraduates University-wide 76,099
Total Undergraduates at University Park 40,639
Total Undergraduates at Other Campuses 27,100
Enrollment for 2019-2020 
Gender Percentage
Female Undergraduates University-wide 46%
Male Undergraduates University-wide 54%
Gender by Percentage for 2018-2019
Residency Percentage
Pennsylvania Students University-wide 65%
Pennsylvania Students at University Park 58%
Pennsylvania Students at Commonwealth Campuses 82%
Out-of-state Students University-wide 35%
Out-of-state Students at University Park 42%
Out-of-state Students at Commonwealth Campuses 18%
Residency by Percentage for 2019-2020
Race/Ethnicity Percentage
African American 5.63%
Asian American 6.40%
Hispanic/Latino 7.65%
Native American/Alaskan Native 0.13%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.11%
White 64.95%
Multiple Races 3.44%
Unknown/Undeclared 2.28%
International 9.36%
Diversity in Undergraduate Enrollment University-wide by Percentage for 2018-2019