As Pennsylvania's only land-grant university, Penn State has a broad mission of teaching, research, and public service.
But that mission was not so grandly conceived in 1855, when the Commonwealth chartered it as one of the nation's first colleges of agricultural science, with a goal to apply scientific principles to farming
Education
Penn State’s land-grant mission embraces teaching, research, and public service in order to support the citizens of the Commonwealth, collaborating with industrial, educational, and agricultural partners to generate, disseminate, integrate, and apply knowledge that is valuable to society.
The University generates approximately $8.5 billion in direct and indirect economic impact annually within Pennsylvania.
Research
With $968 million in annual research expenditures, Penn State ranks among the top 25 U.S. research universities, and is one of only two institutions in the nation accorded land grant, sea grant, sun grant, and space grant status.
Career
Career Services is committed to offering a comprehensive array of programs and services that supports and facilitates career development for all students.
Programs and resources are provided to assist students and alumni in specifying career goals, expanding knowledge of career alternatives, understanding effective decision making, and acquiring appropriate strategies and skills to carry out the process.
Pennsylvania State UniversityKey Statistics & Highlights
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Pennsylvania State UniversityStudent Reviews & Awards
4.5
Based on 41 reviews
5 Star
24 Reviews
4 Star
14 Reviews
3 Star
2 Reviews
2 Star
1 Review
1 Star
0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
Student Teacher Interaction4.1
Student Diversity4.3
Quality of Student Life4.5
Career Development4.4
5/5
Full College Experience
Penn State gives any student the college experience that is right for you. They have so many resources across their many diverse campus locations that it seemed impossible not to find the right major, minor, certifications or other academic needs. At the same time, campus life offers everything you could ask for. Friends, events, beautiful campus, engagement, sports, and much more. The only downside for me was the high cost.
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromUnknown
Posted onAug 2026
4/5
My Thoughts as a Distance Learner
Working online is a bit more challenging than traditional classes. Much more self discipline and organization is required. It is however very convenient for non traditional students with families or with full time jobs as much time is given for most work that is required.
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromSep 2025 - May 2029
Posted onAug 2026
4/5
Evaluation of Unespar
The university has an average structure, there is technological equipment in all rooms, great teachers, but the physical structure is a bit precarious. There is no renovation work, meaning there are rooms with leaks, broken tracks, old fans, etc. Another negative point is the lack of a university cafeteria with free meals. Life on campus is peaceful, there are many student events, lectures and free extracurricular courses. I recommend it, because it is free and the teaching is excellent.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Career Development
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Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
92
By TopUniversities
Dropped 10 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
89
82
92
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
No 2027 Ranking
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
100
108
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
No 2026 Ranking
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
2024
2025
2026
101
101
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
No 2027 Ranking
By U.S. News & World Report
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
2025
2026
2027
96
91
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
The decision to return to school is a major one. They understand and they're here to help support you along the way.
As a World Campus student, you will be supported by a team of knowledgeable and compassionate staff who understand the complexities of balancing work and life while learning online.
They talk to busy adult learners like you every day. They listen to your concerns about going back to school or balancing work and family life.
They help you navigate a path to meet your education and career goals. They watch you gain confidence. And they celebrate with you on graduation day.
Housing services
A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment that will enable a qualified student with a disability to participate in a course, program, facility, activity or service and includes adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has rights and privileges equal to students without disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations may include academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, services, or modifications for facilities.
Library services
The University Libraries share in the Penn State Online | World Campus mission to make sure you have access to a quality academic experience online.
As a student in a World Campus and Penn State Online course you have access to the 8th largest research library in North America, vested in delivering world-class library resources and services directly to you.
ICT services
Free Anti-virus and More
Free Storage Space
Free Web Space
Free Software For PSU Students
Miscellaneous Tools & Guides
Printing Charges
Technology Jump Start Guide
Virus & Virus Prevention Information
Wireless Internet Access For Your Laptop
Useful Videos For Students, Faculty and Staff
How to Protect Your Online Accounts
Learn More About Phishing Scams
Learn More About Peer to Peer Networks
Medical services
Penn State educates future generations of healthcare professionals and scientists, conducts biomedical research, and offers a variety of health services and programs for the public as well as its students, faculty, and staff.
Penn State Health is dedicated to doing what is right for our patients and their families.
Campus life
With more than 125 years experience in distance education, Penn State launched World Campus in 1998, giving learners the ability to earn their Penn State degree entirely online. Today, you can choose from more than 150 programs.
Penn State World Campus is the centralized online delivery unit of Penn State that works with academic units and colleges to deliver more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs online to learners at a distance.
Penn State launched the World Campus in 1998 in order to make online degree programs available to students beyond the reach of our physical campuses.
Sports facilities
The IM Building offers a variety of selectorized and free weight stations, two separate dumbbell areas, and more than 90 cardio machines with cable and internet access available for training.
You will also find our climbing suite, fitness classes, and gymnasium complex here. This is the place for you whether your dancing, lifting, climbing, or running.
The McCoy Natatorium offers a variety of water-related programming throughout the year like recreational swimming, instruction & certifications, club sports groups, intramural events, and a variety of special aquatic events and competitions.
Student clubs
Higher Education Student Association (HESA)
Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
Education Policy Studies Student Association (EPSSA)
Educational Leadership Student Association (ELSA)
Accreditation
Since 1921, The Pennsylvania State University has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (Middle States), a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Middle States requires that member institutions meet rigorous and comprehensive standards, which are addressed in the context of the institution’s mission and within the culture of ethical practices and institutional integrity expected of accredited institutions.
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