
Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State, is a public university founded in 1855. It is the largest university in Pennsylvania, with 24 campuses across the state. The main campus, Penn State University Park, is located in State College and College Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania. In 2023, the university as a whole enrolled over 89,000 students, including more than 74,000 undergraduates and more than 14,000 postgraduates. The University Park campus alone enrolled approximately 50,000 students in 2023, with a total enrollment of around 89,800 students, including over 64,000 undergraduates and nearly 8,000 graduate students.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

In 2023, the university had a total of 50,399 students
In 2023, Pennsylvania State University's main campus had a total of 50,399 students. The university has seen a steady enrollment over the years, with a total of 87,995 students across all its campuses in 2024. The main campus, University Park, is the largest of the university's 24 campuses and is located in State College and College Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania. It is also the most selective campus in the Penn State system, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 49%.
The racial makeup of the university has varied over time. As of fall 2010, the Penn State system, including all campuses and special-mission colleges, was 75.4% White, 5.5% Black, 4.3% Asian, 4.4% Hispanic, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 1.7% two or more races, 5.8% international students, and 3.1% of unknown race. However, the university has faced controversies related to discrimination and inadequate recruitment of African-American faculty and students.
The gender ratio at the University Park campus is skewed towards men, with approximately 41,893 female students and 47,923 male students as of March 2023. The full-time undergraduate population consists of 46% women and 54% men. The racial and ethnic breakdown of the student body at the main campus in 2023 was 58.4% White, 8.52% Hispanic or Latino, 6.74% Asian, 4.53% Black or African American, 3.56% two or more races, 0.125% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0615% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders.
The cost of attending Pennsylvania State University can be a significant factor for prospective students. In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at the main campus was $19,672, which is lower than the national average for Doctoral Universities. The average net price for students, after considering grants and loans, was $27,450. Additionally, the average yearly cost of room and board was $12,984, with an additional $1,840 for books and supplies.
Arcadia University's Student Population: How Many Attend?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The gender breakdown is 46% female and 54% male
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, the university's main campus, had a total enrollment of 50,399 students in 2023. The gender breakdown of the student population is 46% female and 54% male. This translates to approximately 41,893 female students and 47,923 male students. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 42,223 as of fall 2023.
The gender breakdown at Pennsylvania State University's main campus shows a higher proportion of male students compared to female students. With a total enrollment of over 50,000 students, the male population constitutes slightly more than half, at 54%. This represents a notable gender imbalance, with a difference of 8% more males than females.
The undergraduate population at Pennsylvania State University's main campus is predominantly male as well. Out of the total undergraduate enrollment of 42,223 students, 46% are female, while 54% are male. This distribution is consistent with the overall gender breakdown across all students, indicating a similar ratio of males to females in the undergraduate programs.
The gender breakdown at Pennsylvania State University's main campus differs from the national average for higher education institutions in the United States. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2020, the average gender distribution in colleges and universities nationwide was 57.3% female and 42.7% male. Pennsylvania State University's main campus deviates from this trend, with a higher proportion of male students relative to the national average.
The gender breakdown at Pennsylvania State University's main campus may be influenced by various factors, including the university's academic programs, admissions policies, and cultural context. The university's specific characteristics, such as its history, location, and reputation, may also play a role in attracting a higher proportion of male students. Additionally, the gender breakdown could be impacted by broader societal factors and trends related to education and career choices among men and women.
West Virginia University's Student Population: How Many?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$24.95 $29.95

The racial makeup is predominantly white (58.4%)
Pennsylvania State University is one of the largest public universities in the United States, enrolling more than 89,000 students across its 24 campuses. The main campus, University Park, is located in State College and College Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania. With an undergraduate acceptance rate of 49%, it is the most selective campus in the Penn State system.
University Park is the largest of the university's campuses, with 40,363 undergraduate students and 5,907 graduate students enrolled during the fall 2018 semester. In 2023, the total enrollment at the main campus was 50,399 students, with 48,720 full-time students and 1,679 part-time students.
The racial makeup of the main campus is predominantly white (58.4%). This figure includes both undergraduate and graduate students. The white student population is followed by Hispanic or Latino students (8.52%), Asian students (6.74%), Black or African American students (4.53%), students with two or more races (3.56%), American Indian or Alaska Native students (0.125%), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students (0.0615%).
The undergraduate population at the main campus is predominantly white (64.6%), with white male students comprising the largest demographic (32.4%). This is followed by white female students (30.6%) and Hispanic or Latino female students (4.85%). The graduate student population at the main campus may have a different racial breakdown, but specific data is not available.
While the racial makeup of the main campus is predominantly white, it is important to note that Penn State has been working to increase diversity and maintain a diverse student body. Over the period 2000-2010, minority enrollment as a percentage of total enrollments across all campuses increased by 5.3 percentage points. Additionally, Penn State has faced controversies related to discrimination and inadequate recruitment of minority faculty and students.
Abilene Christian University: Student Population and Campus Life
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$11.29 $11.99

49% of undergraduate students received financial aid
Pennsylvania State University is one of the largest public universities in the United States, enrolling more than 89,000 students across its 24 campuses, of which more than 74,000 are undergraduates and more than 14,000 are postgraduates. The largest of these campuses is the University Park campus, located in State College and College Township in Centre County, central Pennsylvania. In 2023, 50,399 students were enrolled at the University Park campus, with 48,720 studying full-time and 1,679 studying part-time.
The University Park campus is the most selective in the Penn State system, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 49%. During the fall 2018 semester, 40,363 undergraduate students and 5,907 graduate students were enrolled at University Park. The campus welcomed its second-largest-ever incoming class in the fall of 2024, with 9,169 first-year students.
In 2023, 49% of undergraduate students at the University Park campus received financial aid through grants or loans. This is compared to 40% of undergraduate students who received financial aid through loans. The average net price for students, after taking grants and loans into account, is $27,450. The median undergraduate tuition at the University Park campus is $19,672, which is $11,332 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities. The yearly cost of room and board is $12,984, and the average yearly cost of books and supplies is $1,840.
The Pennsylvania State University system has experienced a decline in overall first-time, full-time undergraduate students, with a decrease of 2.7% in 2024. This has been attributed to the problematic rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in the previous year, which resulted in an 8.8% drop in the number of US high school seniors completing federal financial aid applications. Despite this, overall enrollment among all undergraduates at Penn State increased by 0.2% in 2024, and the University Park campus has seen an overall enrollment increase of 0.8% since 2023.
NDSU Student-Athletes: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The university has plans to increase its student population
Pennsylvania State University, or Penn State, enrols more than 89,000 students across its 24 campuses, including its main campus, University Park. University Park, located in State College and College Township in Centre County, is the largest of the university's campuses. In the fall of 2018, 40,363 undergraduate students and 5,907 graduate students were enrolled at University Park. In fall 2023, the total undergraduate enrollment was 42,223.
To address these changes, Penn State can develop creative strategies to attract, enroll, and support modern learners. For instance, the university can focus on increasing access to education for underrepresented groups, such as by establishing smaller branch campuses in various regions to expand their reach and serve diverse student populations. Additionally, partnering with industry leaders to integrate real-world projects and internships into the curriculum can give the university an edge against competitors and provide invaluable experiences for students.
Furthermore, the availability of scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid can greatly impact enrollment. By offering unique student benefits and perks, such as personalized career coaching and professional skill development, Penn State can attract more talented students and increase its enrollment numbers. The university can also highlight its unique values and offerings through storytelling in its marketing and admissions processes to stand out among the increasing competition from other institutions.
By implementing these strategies, Penn State can work towards increasing its student population and providing valuable educational opportunities for a diverse range of learners.
Transferring to the University of Michigan: Acceptance Rates and More
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
In 2023, there were 50,399 students enrolled at Pennsylvania State University's main campus.
In 2023, there were 46,605 undergraduate students enrolled at Pennsylvania State University's main campus.
In 2024, there were 87,995 students enrolled across all of Penn State University's campuses.











































