Penn State University Park

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Penn State was $19,672 a year for in-state students and $39,626 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 39,626 per year for tuition at Penn State - University Park.

Penn State - University Park meets 62.4% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Penn State - University Park full-time are awarded $10,885 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $44,008 in student loans for each student with debt.

Penn State - University Park: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Penn State - University Park is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $19,672 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-Pennsylvania residents can expect to pay 39,626 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Penn State - University Park International Student Tuition

Penn State - University Park has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Penn State - University Park usually pay around $39,626 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Penn State - University Park-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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Penn State - University Park Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Penn State - University Park.

Room and Board Costs at Penn State - University Park

Room and board at Penn State - University Park costs $12,744 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Penn State - University Park's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facilities can pay for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $7,126.

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Penn State - University Park

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer resources so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Penn State - University Park

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area is usually costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Penn State - University Parkis in a town in Pennsylvania, not far from Harrisburg.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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The Full Cost of Attending Penn State - University Park

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Penn State - University Park.

Total Cost of Penn State - University Park

What will the cost of attending Penn State - University Park be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$19,672
Out-of-State Tuition	$39,626
Room and Board	$12,744
Board Only	$5,618
Other expenses	$3,222

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Penn State - University Park

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In 2023, 15,926 of the 41,805 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Penn State - University Park meets 62.4% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $10,885 a year. Around 53.05% of Penn State - University Park undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Penn State - University Park graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $44,008 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,631
Penn State - University Park-Specific Loans	$10,659
Private Loans	$57,561

Most Common Loans for Penn State - University Park Students
Federal Loans	50.84%
Institutional Loans	0.63%
Private loans	21.34%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Penn State - University Park financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Penn State - University Park

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Penn State - University Park awarded 7,388 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $135.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $55.05 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Penn State - University Park Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Penn State - University Park students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Penn State - University Park was $10,885 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Penn State - University Park seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$16,257.48
Net In-state, Off-campus	$20,016.48
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$47,096.48

What will attending Penn State - University Park really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Penn State - University Park's net cost calculator on their website.

Penn State - University Park Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Penn State - University Park Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Penn State - University Park's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Penn State - University Park's endowment was valued at $2.8 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million.

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Learn More About Penn State - University Park

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