Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus operates as a Mobility Engine, combining accessible 80.3% admission rates with above-average earnings outcomes. Graduates earn $2,892 more than peer institutions while maintaining manageable debt levels, supporting long-term economic advancement for first-generation and lower-income students.
With above average performance, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational costs
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher debt levels despite competitive net pricing
With well above average results, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With top-tier performance, reflecting Penn State's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top-tier mobility performance with accessible admission
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus leads with excellent mobility performance at the 91.9th percentile nationally, reflecting the institution's ability to deliver strong outcomes for diverse student populations. Located in University Park, Pennsylvania, this large public research university maintains open access admission standards with an 80.3% acceptance rate while producing graduates who earn well above national averages.
Penn State enrolls 29.7% Pell-eligible students and 28.8% first-generation students, positioning the institution as a Mobility Engine that combines educational opportunity with sustained economic advancement. Despite earnings falling $5,741 below expectations relative to student demographics, graduates still earn a median of $63,435 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 78th percentile nationally.
Compared to peer institutions with a median earnings of $60,543, Penn State graduates earn $2,892 more annually. This combination of accessible admission, diverse student enrollment, and above-average earnings places Penn State firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions serve many low-income students while delivering strong economic outcomes.
Penn State delivers above-average earnings outcomes alongside manageable debt levels for graduates. With median earnings of $63,435 ten years after enrollment, graduates rank at the 78th percentile nationally while carrying median debt of $25,000 below the national average.
Earnings span from $40,301 at the 25th percentile to $93,790 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating varied career outcomes across academic disciplines. Low-income graduates earn $50,800, indicating strong economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking accessible public education with strong post-graduation earnings potential, particularly those from first-generation or lower-income backgrounds. With an 80.3% acceptance rate, Penn State Main Campus serves students who may not qualify for highly selective institutions but still want research university opportunities with demonstrated economic mobility outcomes.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus admits 80.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive offers of admission. This places Penn State in the Open Access category, making it significantly more accessible than highly selective institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates Penn State admits students at rates similar to comparable large public research universities. This level of accessibility means that academically prepared students have strong chances of admission, though meeting minimum requirements remains important.
Students should view Penn State as a realistic option rather than a reach school, allowing them to focus application energy on academic fit and program alignment rather than admission uncertainty. The university's open access approach supports its mission as a Mobility Engine, providing educational opportunities for diverse student populations including first-generation and lower-income applicants.
For students building college lists, Penn State represents a solid foundation choice that combines accessibility with research university resources and above-average post-graduation outcomes. This admission profile means students can approach their applications with confidence while still demonstrating genuine interest in Penn State's specific academic and campus offerings.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus publishes a cost of attendance of $27,938 annually, reflecting moderate pricing for a large public research university. This total includes $15,204 in tuition (the same for in-state and out-of-state students, reflecting Penn State's unique pricing structure), plus room and board costs and $1,840 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays $20,826 after financial aid, representing $7,112 in savings from the sticker price. Penn State's net price falls $5,236 below the peer median of $25,062, indicating competitive affordability relative to similar large public research institutions.
The institution provides financial aid that reduces costs for most students, with aid concentration benefiting lower-income families most substantially. For students from families earning under $30,000 annually, net costs drop to $18,032, while those from families earning over $110,000 pay $25,449.
This progressive aid structure helps support Penn State's role as a Mobility Engine, making education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining manageable costs for middle-income families.
Pennsylvania State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth from early to mid-career periods. Median earnings increase from $55,620 six years after enrollment to $60,370 at eight years and $63,435 at ten years, representing 14.1% growth between the six-year and ten-year marks.
These outcomes reflect data from substantial cohorts, with 20,724 graduates in the six-year group, 21,584 in the eight-year group, and 22,878 in the ten-year cohort, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $2,892 more than the peer median of $60,543, indicating above-average performance relative to similar large public research institutions.
Low-income graduates achieve median earnings of $50,800, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings distribution spans from $40,301 at the 25th percentile to $93,790 at the 75th percentile, reflecting a 2.3:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles.
Approximately 51% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study based on program mix analysis, though this estimate carries low confidence. The earnings trajectory shows consistent upward movement without dramatic acceleration or plateauing patterns typical of some career paths.
Artificial Intelligence.
308 graduates
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
120 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
144 graduates
Computer Support Specialist.
445 graduates
Engineering Science.
49 graduates
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers programs across diverse academic fields, though specific program-level earnings and ranking data are not available in the current dataset. As a comprehensive research university, Penn State typically maintains strong programs in engineering, business, agriculture, and communications, fields that often contribute to the institution's above-average earnings outcomes.
The university's large scale allows for extensive program offerings across undergraduate disciplines, supporting the varied career paths reflected in the earnings distribution from $40,301 to $93,790. Students benefit from the breadth of academic options available at a major research institution, with program diversity contributing to both accessibility and the range of post-graduation outcomes.
The institution's comprehensive program portfolio supports its role as a Mobility Engine, providing pathways for students with different academic interests and career goals.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rowan University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#232 ranked) | NJ | 78% | $59,988 | #232 | Compare |
Colorado State University-Fort Collins Similar quality tier (#235 ranked) | CO | 90% | $60,543 | #235 | Compare |
University Of Kansas Similar quality tier (#236 ranked) | KS | 88% | $61,945 | #236 | Compare |
Clemson University Similar quality tier (#238 ranked) | SC | 38% | $71,513 | #238 | Compare |
University Of North Georgia Similar quality tier (#244 ranked) | GA | 72% | $50,135 | #244 | Compare |
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