Is Penn State a good school? I understand that both parents and prospective students are concerned about the college and want to choose only the best. Penn State is one of Pennsylvania’s top schools with a record for quality education. There are no concerns whatsoever when it comes to studying at Penn State and in this article on whether is Penn State a good school, I will provide an analytical breakdown of what to expect when you attend Penn State and whether the school is good for you.
Penn State is a good school especially if you live in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. The school is remarkable as it has a high rate of graduating excellent students thanks to the passion and expertise of its academic board. For students who want to play football, the school offers a great opportunity and it has a wide network of Alumni that hire only Penn graduates, especially majors in STEM. Additionally, corresponding academic tools are made available for further and intense studies making Penn State not just a theory-based school but one in which students can learn practically.
This prestigious school offers admission to both citizens and international students alike. They are also known to be one of the top-notch providers of online classes due to their high-quality online education.
If you want to know in detail if Penn State is a good school, stick around to the end of this article as it promises to give a comprehensive review of the school and all it has to offer.
Is Penn State a Good School?
Penn State is ranked #63 among National Universities in the United States by U.S. News. The school has a track record for providing top-notch and engaging sporting activities for students. It has a wide network that makes it easy for graduates to land jobs easily. Additionally, the school is a highly research-oriented university, and students are assured the best of learning facilities and environment. However, Penn State is a social university and it takes a lot of focus to succeed in the school.
About Penn State
With the ever-growing need for quality education, Penn State University has made it a point of duty to provide quality education to students. The institution was founded in 1855 with a mission to provide high-quality teaching, global service as well as expert research.
This public school located in Pennsylvania has been in existence for over 10 decades providing quality education to students. It is one of the top-ranking universities in the state with over 740,000 alumni to its name. With its wide range of academic programs, students are left with an open check to choose whatever course of study best suits them.
Additionally, adequate learning facilities, state-of-the-art classrooms, well-suited libraries, and highly qualified teachers make for a great learning experience at the institution. Also, there’s high security at the school providing a safe environment for learning. Though very competitive, students willing to be admitted into this school can get admitted if they meet up the necessary requirements stated by the school.
Its campus size is 7,958 acres with a total undergraduate enrollment of about 39,809 as of fall 2020, and a class size of fewer than 20 students. In-state tuition and fee are $18,898 while out-state tuition and fees are $36,476. Also, the school provides some form of financial aid to students. You can check the school’s website to know if you’re eligible to get any form of financial aid.
Penn State Acceptance Rate
The Penn State acceptance rate is 51%. It is a highly competitive college and for every hundred students that apply, only 51 get accepted. Penn State also has a 67% acceptance rate for early application. They seem to favor students that apply to the school at an early stage.
Penn State Admission Requirement
There are laid out requirements that must be met to be considered for admission into Penn State and this is what this section of this article seeks to address.
To secure admission into Penn State, you will need a good GPA and SAT/ACT scores. The school requires an average GPA of 3.58, anything below can put you at a disadvantage. However, you can take the SAT or ACT test to make up for your GPA. You will need to make an average SAT score of 1265 or an average ACT score of 28 in order to get admitted into this great institution.
Additionally, you’ll be required to apply by filling out a form online with all the needed information. You will also provide the following:
- Personal statement or essay
- Application fee and
- Letter of recommendation
All of these are basic requirements needed by the school to enable the processing of your admission into Penn State.
Pennsylvania State University World Ranking
Penn State has some pretty decent world rankings. The school is ranked #80 internationally in the United States News & World Reports for Best Global Universities in 2022. Penn State came out top 100 among 1,750 institutions evaluated across 91 countries. Penn State ranks No. 119 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2022. The rankings are based on an evaluation of more than 1,600 institutions across 99 countries and measure performance indicators in four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.
In the 2023 QS World University Rankings, Penn State is ranked 93rd in the world and 9th among all public U.S. universities. This new rank was an improvement from Penn State’s previous ranking on the QS world chart despite the 9% increase in the scope of universities considered and reviewed. The University continues to be recognized for its global reach, academic quality, and value for money for students.
Is Penn State a Good School for Business?
Penn State University majors in business. They provide business studies for students through their Smeal College of Business. The school offers high-quality business education to students and guarantees high chances of gaining employment right after graduation based on its wide alumni network.
According to media outlets including Bloomberg Businessweek, The Economist, Financial Times, Forbes, and US News & World Report, Penn State Smeal’s MBA program ranks among the top 20 public MBA programs in the nation. Moreover, the Smeal faculty rank among the top 10 in the world for academic excellence.
Various acknowledgments have been given to the school for raising valued business minds over the years. Even after 10 decades, people still have great things to say about the school’s ability to train good business students.
Is Penn State a Good School for Pre-med?
When it comes to pre-med, Penn State has a strong foundation. Students looking for a good starting point in their medical journey can leverage Penn State’s Emberly College of Science for the best pre-med education. The pre-med program at Penn State is a seven-year program that begins with three years at the university, followed by four years at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Students get an all-inclusive approach to sciences as the school provides a strong background and foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. The Penn State pre-med curriculum also includes studies in ethics and social sciences which are necessary for studying medicine. With a life science focus that integrates knowledge of other disciplines, Penn State prepares students to think deeply and critically.
As touching requirements to enter Penn State pre-med school, students have the option to decide whether SAT/ACT scores will be included in the evaluation for admission. To learn more about Penn State’s pre-med school admission and acceptance requirements, log on to https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/premedicine-bs/.
Is Penn State a Good School for Nursing?
Penn State offers a great nursing school program. Its College of Nursing is ideal for people looking for affordable options in Pennsylvania as Penn State’s nursing is ranked 14 in Pennsylvania and 107 in the country according to College Factual.
The institution’s goal is to train nurse leaders who will help transform people’s health and lives. The school offers several programs under the nursing umbrella, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Whether you are just starting out or looking to further your nursing career, you can find the different programs open at the school and apply for any of your choices.
Is Penn State a Good School for Economics?
Penn State is not considered a good school for Economics. We asked a couple of Economics majors at the school and they shared their thoughts on what they feel about the school. Many of them are happy with the quality of education but when it comes to Economics as a field of study, they claim the school does not offer as much value as other Ivy colleges and universities offering Economics majors.
Nonetheless, if you are considering studying Economics in Pennsylvania, then you can trust Penn State as they are ranked 7th in Pennsylvania by College Factual. According to U.S. News, Penn State is #27 among colleges that offer economics in the United States. If you care about ranking and statistics, then this is a good school to attend. However, based on the opinion of undergrads at the school, I would suggest you try out other options.
Is Penn State a Good School for Law?
Penn State is a great school for law. One good thing about Penn State law school is its facilities which provide a conducive environment for prospective lawyers and other professionals in the judiciary. In 2021, Penn State Dickinson Law School was ranked #60 among 194 law schools by the U.S. News and World Report. With a good GPA, LSAT, or GRE score, a nonrefundable $60 application fee or authorized fee waiver, and other required credentials you can gain entry to Penn State’s law school.
Is Penn State a Good School for Astronomy?
Penn State’s astronomy program is among the best in the nation. Not only is it considered to be among the top 10 programs but one of the most productive programs in the United States. The program involves students in rigorous, front-line research programs that help engage students’ minds and prepare them to become great scientists who contribute to society at large.
In the 2018/2019 academic session, Penn State graduated 20 students and was ranked 7th in the United States. The standards have been maintained since then and if you are considering studying astronomy, Penn State is an excellent option.
Is Penn State a Good School for Computer Science?
I majored in computer science. As a computer science student, you will find that your training process depends a lot on the school’s facilities and their encouragement of research to stay in the know of what is happening in the digital world. Additionally, not every college offers computer education in the same way. Some schools adopt an art-infused approach to computer science awarding a BA in computer science while others offer a BSc.
The difference between the BA and BSc is that the latter includes maths and physics. This is what Penn State does that makes them an excellent option for students looking to major in Computer science. Penn State computer science education includes studies in maths and physics and the awarding of a BSc certificate. Graduates from the school are reputed and considered for jobs in Silicon Valley as the school is believed to offer the same quality and value as Berkley and MIT.
Computer science at Penn State is offered as part of courses in the school’s College of Engineering and the school is ranked #23 in the nation and #94 among universities in the world by U.S. News.
Is Penn State a Good School for Psychology?
Psychology is the study of human behavior and Penn State is a decent school to study psychology in. Students who want to major in psychology will be happy with Penn State’s psychology department. The school offers a comprehensive psychology program geared towards giving student experience in clinical adult and animal, social, cognitive, and environmental studies.
Is Penn State a Good School for Biology?
Students looking to take up a career in biology can do so by studying at Penn State. Penn State prepares students by giving them a strong background in biological science which in turn assists them to choose cognitively a career path that best suits them individually. Studying biology at Penn State is an open check to gaining hands-on experiences and enlarging the scope of your knowledge. Biological science has branches and at Penn State, you get to explore these branches.
Is Penn State a Good School for Physical Therapy?
Penn State is a great school for physical therapy. Whether as a newbie or an experienced practitioner willing to further, there are different programs open for study, from beginner to graduate programs. From PT 100-PT 395I: Physical Therapy Assistant—you can find the course that suits your immediate need and apply for it.
Additionally, there are licensed physical therapists ready to direct, assist and supervise you on your journey to becoming a physical therapist.
What is Penn State Known For?
The school has several majors, including Engineering, Management, business, marketing, and related programs; psychology; physical sciences, computer and information sciences and support services; social sciences; biological and biomedical sciences; communication, journalism, and related programs; agricultural/plant/animal/veterinary science and related programs.
FAQs
Is Penn State hard academically?
Yes, academics at Penn State are challenging. However, the difficulty will depend on what you define as “challenging.” During freshman year, students are exposed to a wider range of courses, which helps prepare their minds for subsequent academic years.
Is Penn State actually a good school?
Penn State is a good school. It is one of the top 100 schools in the country and ranks among the top 25 public schools in Pennsylvania. The university has produced thousands of successful alumni who carry on prestigious careers all over the globe. Students applying for admission into this school can rest assured that they are getting into one of the best educational institutions in the country with a mission to raise great students by providing quality education from qualified teachers.
Is Penn State worth going to?
Penn State is worth going to. This prestigious institution provides quality education to students of all disciplines. Due to its commitment to providing quality education, Penn State has earned its place as one of the most valued institutions in the country.
What is Penn State known for academically?
Penn State is mostly known academically for business, computer science, engineering, and marketing. Students have been known to focus on these courses more at Penn State. The university has a strong reputation for research and innovation in many fields, including medicine. They are also known for playing sports at a high level, especially football.
Is a degree from Penn State respected?
Yes, Penn State has a good ranking status making its degree respectable in the country.
Final thought on Is Penn State a Good School
Penn State University is a good place for students who are looking for high-quality education. Here, students are engaged in quality learning activities where the best professors teach them from their various fields of study. Furthermore, Penn State has been recognized as one of the top universities in the US. Students who have graduated from this school are now successful and notable alumni who have gone ahead to make a name for themselves in different parts of the world. This is it on why Penn State is a good school to go to.