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Pennsylvania State University

Address: 201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Phone: +1 814-865-4700
Email: admissions@psu.edu
Website: www.psu.edu


About Pennsylvania State University

Penn State, founded in 1855 as an agricultural college, admitted its first class in 1859. The Pennsylvania legislature designated Penn State as the Commonwealth's sole land-grant institution in 1863, which eventually broadened the University's mission to include teaching, research, and public service in many academic disciplines. Penn State has awarded more than a half-million degrees, and has been Pennsylvania's largest source of baccalaureate degrees at least since the 1930s. Although the University is privately chartered by the Commonwealth, it was from the outset considered an instrumentality of the state, that is, it carries out many of the functions of a public institution and promotes the general welfare of the citizenry. The Governor and other representatives of the Commonwealth have held seats on Penn State's Board of Trustees since the University's founding, and the legislature has made regular appropriations in support of the University's mission since 1887. Today Penn State is one of four state-related universities (along with the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, and Lincoln University), institutions that are not state-owned and -operated but that have the character of public universities and receive substantial state appropriations. With its administrative and research hub at the University Park campus, Penn State has 23 additional locations across Pennsylvania and Penn State World Campus, which provides on-line degree offerings. While some of the these locations, such as the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, have specialized academic roles, they all adhere to a common overall mission and set of core values and strategic goals.

Why Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is famous for several key reasons:

  1. Academic Excellence: Penn State is recognized as a top-tier research university. It is particularly strong in fields like engineering, business, agriculture, and the sciences. Its College of Engineering and Smeal College of Business are highly regarded nationally and internationally. The university is also part of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a prestigious group of top North American research institutions.

  2. Research: Penn State is known for its robust research programs, particularly in agriculture, energy, and materials science. It ranks among the top universities in research expenditures, with partnerships across government, industry, and academia.

  3. Thon and Student Involvement: Penn State is home to THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. It raises millions of dollars annually for pediatric cancer research and patient support, which has brought significant recognition to the university.

  4. Athletics: Penn State has a renowned athletic program, particularly its football team. The Penn State Nittany Lions are part of the Big Ten Conference, and the university has a storied football tradition, with a massive fanbase and a stadium (Beaver Stadium) that is among the largest in the country.

  5. Alumni Network: With over 700,000 alumni worldwide, Penn State boasts one of the largest and most active alumni associations, which helps to strengthen its reputation and network globally.

These factors have made Penn State a well-known and respected institution across the globe.

Tuition fees at Penn State vary by program and level of study. For international undergraduate students, fees typically range from $32,000 to $34,000 per year. Postgraduate fees vary widely depending on the course. Additional costs include living expenses, which are estimated to be around $12,000 to $15,000 per year.

  • IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 80 with a minimum score of 20 in each section
  • PTE Academic: Overall score of 53

  • Undergraduate applicants require A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
  • Postgraduate applicants must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
  • International students must demonstrate English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE).
  • Specific course requirements can be found on the Apply page.

  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Information Technology
  • Health Sciences
  • Agricultural Sciences

  • Strong research programs in sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
  • Opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
  • More information: Research.

  • Undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.
  • Specialties in humanities, sciences, business, law, and engineering.
  • Explore programs: Study Programs.

  • Scholarships available for academic excellence, financial need, and specific fields of study.
  • Examples include the Leeds Bursary and International Excellence Scholarship.
  • More details: Scholarships.

  • Support services include pre-arrival information, orientation programs, and visa assistance.
  • Dedicated International Office for ongoing support.
  • More information: International Student Support.

  • Career services include job fairs, internships, and placement opportunities.
  • Resources for job searching, resume building, and interview preparation.
  • More details: Career Services.

  • Richard Alley: As mentioned above, Alley is one of the top professors at Penn State, holding the title of Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences. He is widely recognized for his research on climate change and the history of the Earth’s climate. His work on the IPCC report, which shared the Nobel Peace Prize, makes him one of the most prominent figures in the field.

  • Andrew Read: A leading figure in infectious disease biology, Andrew Read is the Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. His groundbreaking work on the evolution of pathogens and resistance has had significant impacts on public health.

  • John Asbury: A professor of chemistry, Asbury is a top researcher in materials science, particularly known for his work in solar energy conversion and renewable energy technology.

  • Paul Berg: An alumnus of Penn State (B.S. 1948), Paul Berg won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1980 for his work on recombinant DNA, which was instrumental in the development of genetic engineering.

  • Richard Alley: While not a Nobel laureate himself, Alley, a Penn State geosciences professor, contributed significantly to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 alongside Al Gore. Alley is known for his work on climate science, particularly in understanding ice sheets and their role in climate change.