
Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State or PSU, is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities across Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1855, the university has since expanded significantly, enrolling more than 89,000 students as of 2023, including full-time and part-time students. The student population is diverse, with varying racial and ethnic backgrounds, and the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, making it one of the largest and most prominent educational institutions in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | 89,816 |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 64,607 |
| Graduate Enrollment | 7,908 |
| Full-time Enrollment | 48,720 |
| Part-time Enrollment | 1,679 |
| Gender Breakdown | 47,923 male students, 41,893 female students |
| Racial Breakdown | 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, 0.0615% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders |
| Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Concentrations | General Finance, Information Science, General Psychology |
| Number of Degrees Awarded in 2023 | 14,268 |
| Percentage of Degrees Awarded to Women | 47.9% |
| Median Undergraduate Tuition | $19,672 |
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What You'll Learn

Total student population
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities across Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1855, Penn State has grown significantly over the past century, becoming the largest grantor of baccalaureate degrees in Pennsylvania. In 1936, its enrollment reached 5,000 students. As of 2023, the university enrolls more than 89,000 students, including more than 74,000 undergraduates and over 14,000 postgraduates.
Penn State's primary campus, Penn State University Park, is located in State College and College Township. The total enrollment at this campus is approximately 89,816 students, with 64,607 undergraduates and 7,908 graduate students. The gender breakdown for full-time undergraduate students at University Park is 46% women and 54% men, while for full-time graduate students, it is 48% women and 52% men. Overall, there are more male students than female students at University Park, with approximately 41,893 female students and 47,923 male students.
In terms of race and ethnicity, the enrolled student population at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is predominantly White (58.4%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (8.52%), Asian (6.74%), Black or African American (4.53%), Two or More Races (3.56%), American Indian or Alaska Native (0.125%), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0.0615%). The university also has a significant international student population, with students from various countries and backgrounds.
The Pennsylvania State University has experienced fluctuations in its student population over the years, with enrollment numbers varying across its different campuses and programs. However, it consistently maintains a large student body, reflecting its reputation as a prominent educational institution in the United States.
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Undergraduate vs graduate students
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities across Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, Penn State has since grown significantly, becoming the largest grantor of baccalaureate degrees in Pennsylvania. The university enrols more than 89,000 students, of which more than 74,000 are undergraduates and more than 14,000 are postgraduates.
The primary campus, Penn State University Park, is located in State College and College Township, Centre County, and is the largest of the university's 24 campuses. During the fall 2018 semester, 40,363 undergraduate students and 5,907 graduate students were enrolled at University Park. The campus is organised into fourteen distinct colleges, plus the graduate school and the division of undergraduate studies.
The University Park campus recognises four student governments: the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG), and the World Campus Student Government Association (WCSGA). The UPUA is the representative student government of the undergraduate students at Penn State's University Park campus, while graduate and professional students are represented by the GPSA.
In addition to the University Park campus, 19 other campus locations offer enrolment for undergraduate students. Over 60% of first-year students begin their education at a location other than University Park. Each of these 19 campuses offers a unique set of degree programmes based on student demographics. Students at these campuses are guaranteed a spot at University Park to finish their degrees if desired, known as the "2+2 program".
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Gender distribution
The Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State, is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses across Pennsylvania. With more than 89,000 students, Penn State has one of the largest student populations in the country. The gender distribution within this large student body varies depending on the specific campus and student type (undergraduate vs graduate).
At the University Park campus, the full-time undergraduate population is made up of 46% women and 54% men. This uneven distribution is also reflected in the overall student population at University Park, with a gender ratio of 48% women and 52% men. This disparity is even more pronounced at the Penn State Main Campus, where there are 8% more male students than female students, resulting in a gender ratio of 8% men to 8% women.
Comparatively, the graduate student population at University Park exhibits slightly higher gender parity, with 48% women and 52% men. This trend suggests that while Penn State's overall student population leans towards a higher proportion of male students, the gender distribution varies across different academic levels and campuses.
It is worth noting that Penn State has been the subject of controversy regarding discrimination and inadequate recruitment of minority students. In the context of gender diversity, Penn State has a significantly lower representation of female students compared to the US average of 56% in colleges. This disparity highlights a lack of gender inclusivity at the university.
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Racial/ethnic breakdown
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1855, Penn State has experienced significant growth over the years and now enrols more than 89,000 students, including more than 74,000 undergraduates and over 14,000 postgraduates.
Regarding racial/ethnic breakdown, Penn State's student body primarily consists of White students, with a small percentage of foreign residents. As of 2023, approximately 31% of students are minorities or people of colour (BIPOC). There are about 41,893 female students and 47,923 male students at Penn State University Park, indicating a higher male population.
In terms of specific racial/ethnic groups, Hispanic or Latino students have shown the most significant increase in representation. Between the fall 2018 and 2022 semesters, their numbers rose by 18.4%, and they now constitute about 9.1% of undergraduates, up from 7.3% in 2018. Asian students have also seen a notable boost in representation, with a 14% increase during the same period. By the fall of 2022, Asians made up around 7.3% of the undergraduate population, compared to 6.1% in 2018.
On the faculty side, representation for most ethnic and racial groups reached its highest point in the fall of 2020. Since then, while most groups have shown a slight decline, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, and international representation has continued to grow. Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander faculty members remain the least represented group, with only one member as of the fall 2022 semester.
Penn State has faced controversies related to discrimination and inadequate recruitment of African-American faculty and students. In 1988, student activists occupied Old Main, demanding that the university do more to address these issues. While the university has recently demonstrated a commitment to equity and racial justice, it faced scrutiny in late 2022 after abandoning plans for a racial justice centre at the University Park campus.
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Full-time vs part-time enrollment
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities across Pennsylvania, USA. The university enrolls more than 89,000 students, of which more than 74,000 are undergraduates and over 14,000 are postgraduates.
When it comes to full-time vs part-time enrollment at Penn State, there are a few key considerations. Firstly, international students with F-1 and J-1 status are required to register full-time during the fall and spring semesters. For undergraduates, full-time status is defined as 12 credits, while for graduate students, it is 9 credits. Students are not required to enroll in the summer semester unless they were admitted for that specific semester or if it is their last semester.
U.S. regulations allow for reduced course loads in certain situations, but students must obtain advance permission from International Student and Scholar Advising (ISSA) by completing the Reduced Course Load eForm in iStart. Failure to do so may result in under-enrollment being reported in SEVIS as a violation, leading to potential termination of the student's SEVIS record.
Part-semester courses that begin after the start of the semester may allow students to maintain full-time status. Additionally, students can arrange individualized experiences for credit, such as independent studies, internships, or research projects, by consulting with a faculty member. However, scheduling more than 19 credits will result in a tuition surcharge for each credit above 19.
It is important to note that dropping below full-time enrollment may result in tuition penalty charges. Students in non-degree status at Penn State are not eligible for a reduced course load, and such requests should generally not be made by students who are not new to the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The student population at Penn State University is around 89,816, as of 2023.
There are around 64,607 undergraduate students at Penn State University.
There are 7,908 graduate students at the university.
The student population is made up of 41,893 female students and 47,923 male students.
The student body is 58.4% White, 8.52% Hispanic or Latino, 6.74% Asian, 4.53% Black or African American, 3.56% of students identify with two or more races, 0.125% are American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0615% are Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.











































