Pennsylvania State University

State College, University Park

#=89 QS Global World Ranking
PublicStatus
Very HighResearch Output
47,433Total Students
4,248Faculty
7,567Int'l Students

About

Penn State, founded in 1855 as an agricultural college, admitted its first class in 1859. The Pennsylvania legislature designated Penn State as the Commonwealth's sole land-grant institution in 1863, which eventually broadened the University's mission to include teaching, research, and public service in many academic disciplines. Penn State has awarded more than a half-million degrees, and has been Pennsylvania's largest source of baccalaureate degrees at least since the 1930s. Although the University is privately chartered by the Commonwealth, it was from the outset considered an instrumentality of the state, that is, it carries out many of the functions of a public institution and promotes the general welfare of the citizenry. The Governor and other representatives of the Commonwealth have held seats on Penn State's Board of Trustees since the University?s founding, and the legislature has made regular appropriations in support of the University's mission since 1887. Today Penn State is one of four state-related universities (along with the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, and Lincoln University), institutions that are not state-owned and -operated but that have the character of public universities and receive substantial state appropriations. With its administrative and research hub at the University Park campus, Penn State has 23 additional locations across Pennsylvania and Penn State World Campus, which provides on-line degree offerings. While some of the these locations, such as the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, have specialized academic roles, they all adhere to a common overall mission and set of core values and strategic goals.

Penn State’s tradition of academic excellence, investment in student success, and commitment to providing unrivaled opportunities make the University a great place to study, but it is the dedication of our students, faculty, and staff that make it truly exceptional. Please see the following link for undergraduate application information: https://admissions.psu.edu/

About

University highlights

2012
#101
2014
#=107
2015
#112
2016
#101
2017
#=95
2018
#=93
2019
#95
2020
#=93
2021
#=101
2022
#96
2023
#93
2024
#83
2025
#=89

View all ranking data

Student & Staff

Chart
Data

Total students

47,433

PG students

14%

UG students

86%

International students

7,567

PG students

41%

UG students

59%

Total faculty staff

4,248

Int'l staff

590

Domestic staff

3658

Total students

47,433

PG students

14%

UG students

86%

International students

7,567

PG students

41%

UG students

59%

Total faculty staff

4,248

Domestic staff

3658

Int'l staff

590

2024

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