Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Graduate Schools

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (referred to as Penn State) is a Public, 4 years school located in University Park, PA. It is classified as a Research University (very high research activity) school by Carnegie Classification and its highest level of offering is Doctor's degree - research/scholarship and professional practice. The 2023 graduate school tuition & fees at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $25,015 for Pennsylvania residents and $42,151 for out-of-state students. The school has 8,283 graduate students where it has a total enrollment of 50,028 including undergraduate students.

Graduate School Overview

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (referred to as Penn State) is a Public, 4 years school located in University Park, PA. It is classified as a Research University (very high research activity) school by Carnegie Classification and its highest level of offering is Doctor's degree - research/scholarship and professional practice.
The school is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (7/1/1921 - Current[Estimated Date]).
Penn State Directory Information
School NamePennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State)
Address201 Old Main, University Park, PA
Phone814-865-4700
Webhttps://www.psu.edu
The 2023 graduate school tuition & fees at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $25,015 for Pennsylvania residents and $42,151 for out-of-state students. The school has 8,283 graduate students where it has a total enrollment of 50,028 including undergraduate students.
It offers total 401 graduate programs through Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master's, Doctorate (Research), and Doctorate (Professional Practice).
Graduate School 2023 Key Facts
School TypePublic, 4 years
Tuition & Fees$42,151
$25,015 for Pennsylvania Residents
Student Population8,283
Offered Degrees/ProgramsPost-Bachelor Certificate, Master's, Doctorate (Research), and Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Number of Programs401 graduate programs
Student to Faculty Ratio15 to 1
The graduate tuition & fees at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $25,015 for Pennsylvania residents and $42,151 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2022-2023. The tuition per credit hour is $1,019 for Pennsylvania residents and $1,733 for out-of-state students.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers the alternative tuition plans.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers the distance learning courses, but students may be required to attend/visit regular classes to complete their degree/programs.
On its campus, academic/career services, employment services for students, placement services for completers, on-campus daycare for students' children are provided for their students.
Special Learning Opportunities & On-campus Services
Distance Learning (Online Classes)Graduate Level Courses
Special learning Opportunities
  • ROTC (Army, Navy, Air Force)
  • Study abroad
  • Weekend/evening college
  • Teacher certification
On-Campus Student Services
  • Academic/career services
  • Employment services for students
  • Placement services for completers
  • On-campus daycare for students' children

2023 Graduate Tuition, Fees, Other Expenses

For the academic year 2022-2023, the graduate school tuition & fees of Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $25,015 for Pennsylvania residents and $42,151 for other students. The graduate tuition & fees are increased by 5.97% compared to previous academic year.
Data source: 2022-2023 tuition - NCES(National Center for Education Statistics (Last update: July 22, 2022)
2022-2023 Graduate Tuition & fees
Pennsylvania ResidentsOut-of-State
TuitionFeesTuitionFees
2018-2019$21,540$1,038$36,974$1,038
2019-2020$21,960$1,034$37,694$1,034
2020-2021$22,464$1,034$38,198$1,034
2021-2022$23,189$530$39,248$530
2022-2023$24,466$549$41,602$549
The graduate school tuition & fees of Penn State is expensive compared to public graduate schools in Pennsylvania. The average graduate school tuition for all graduate schools in United States is $19,518 and the Pennsylvania graduate tuition is $27,553 (public) / $20,439 (private).
The next table compares the average graduate school tuition by location and school types.
Graduate Tuition & fees Comparison
ResidentsOut-of-State
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$25,015$42,151
All Graduate Schools$16,002$19,518
Public$11,454$20,592
Private$19,594
Pennsylvania Graduate Schools$20,074$22,186
Public$20,174$27,553
Private$20,439
For academic year 2022-2023, the living costs are $17,772 when a student lives on-campus housing facilities (i.e. dormitory, school owned apartments, etc.) at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. On-campus living costs are increased by 1.37% compared to previous academic year. The off-campus living costs are $17,772. Off-campus living costs are increased by 1.37% compared to previous academic year.
2022-2023 Living Expenses
Living On-CampusLiving Off-Campus
Room & BoardOther ExpenseRoom & BoardOther Expense
2018-2019$11,570$4,788$11,570$4,788
2019-2020$11,884$4,788$11,884$4,788
2020-2021$12,318$4,788$12,318$4,788
2021-2022$12,744$4,788$12,744$4,788
2022-2023$12,984$4,788$12,984$4,788
For academic year 2022-2023, the tuition per credit hour for graduate programs is $1,019 for Pennsylvania residents and $1,733 for other students at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The graduate tuition per credit hour are increased by 5.99% compared to previous academic year.
2022-2023 Graduation Program Tuition per Credit Hour
Pennsylvania ResidentsOut-of-State
2018-2019$898$1,541
2019-2020$915$1,571
2020-2021$936$1,592
2021-2022$962$1,635
2022-2023$1,019$1,733
The law school tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $55,344 for Pennsylvania residents and $55,344 for out-of-state students for academic year 2022-2023. For medical school, the average tuition & fees is $55,576 for Pennsylvania residents and $55,576 for out-of-state students. Next table shows the tuition & fees for law school and/or medical schools at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
2022-2023 Law School/Medical School Tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Pennsylvania ResidentsOut-of-State
TuitionFeesTuitionFees
Medicine$55,504$72$55,504$72
Law$54,744$600$54,744$600

Graduate Programs at Penn State

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers 227 graduate programs for Master's, Doctorate, and Post-Graduate Certificate. The next table lists number of programs by offered degree and online availability along with number of completers by degree/certificate programs. Last year, 2,753 students have completed their study at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
Offered Degrees at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Award LevelTotal Number of ProgramsAvailable Online ClassNumber of Completers
Master's Degree10701,602
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship930718
Doctor's degree - other20373
Post Bachelor's Degree25060
Total22702,753
The next table shows the popular graduate programs at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus by award level.
  • The most popular Post-graduate Certificate program is the Business Administration and Management program with 9 completers.
  • The most popular Master's program is the Programs for Foreign Lawyers program with 201 completers.
  • The most popular Doctorate program is the Law program with 216 completers.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers 227 programs through Master's, Doctorate, and Post-Graduate Certificate. The programs are offered only in on-site (classroom) education. Last year total 2,753 students have completed their graduate studies.
  • 1,602 students have earned/completed Master's program.
  • 373 students have earned/completed Doctorate (Practice) program.
  • 60 students have earned/completed Post-Bachelor's program.
Master's Programs and Number of Completers
ProgramAvailable OnlineNumber of CompletersAverage Earning after graduation
Agriculture [+] 28 completers-
Agricultural and Extension Education Services3-
Animal Sciences6-
Food Science8-
Plant Sciences1-
Agronomy and Crop Science4-
Horticultural Science2-
Plant Sciences (other)1-
Soil Science and Agronomy3-
Natural Resources and Conservation [+] 7 completers-
Forest Management/Forest Resources Management6-
Natural Resources and Conservation (other)1-
Architecture [+] 27 completers-
Architecture5-
Landscape Architecture12-
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology10-
Communication and Journalism [+] 6 completers-
Speech Communication and Rhetoric6-
Computer and Information Sciences [+] 81 completers$91,900
Informatics20-
Information Science/Studies2$113,000
Computer Science56-
Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance3-
Education [+] 106 completers-
Curriculum and Instruction31$50,000
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration14-
Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education1-
Special Education and Teaching22-
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services25$43,100
Trade and Industrial Teacher Education7-
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor6-
Engineering [+] 262 completers-
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering24-
Agricultural Engineering5-
Architectural Engineering57$68,400
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering11-
Chemical Engineering6-
Civil Engineering8-
Electrical and Electronics Engineering29-
Engineering Science23-
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering3-
Materials Engineering11-
Mechanical Engineering35-
Nuclear Engineering3-
Petroleum Engineering6-
Industrial Engineering27-
Manufacturing Engineering6-
Engineering (other)8-
Engineering Technology [+] 4 completers-
Nanotechnology4-
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics [+] 15 completers-
Comparative Literature5-
French Language and Literature5-
Spanish Language and Literature5-
Work and Family Studies [+] 4 completers-
Human Development and Family Studies4-
Legal Studies [+] 209 completers-
Programs for Foreign Lawyers201-
Legal Professions and Studies (other)8-
English Language and Literature [+] 17 completers-
English Language and Literature17-
Biological and Biomedical Sciences [+] 41 completers-
Biology/Biological Sciences1-
Biomedical Sciences1-
Plant Pathology/Phytopathology3-
Anatomy3-
Entomology6-
Animal Physiology3-
Pathology/Experimental Pathology1-
Bioinformatics2-
Biotechnology6-
Ecology6-
Epidemiology2-
Biological and Biomedical Sciences (other)7-
Mathematics and Statistics [+] 39 completers-
Mathematics3-
Financial Mathematics24-
Statistics12$81,500
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies [+] 81 completers-
Nutrition Sciences3-
International/Global Studies70$28,800
Sustainability Studies4-
Geography and Environmental Studies4-
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies [+] 8 completers-
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management2-
Kinesiology and Exercise Science6-
Philosophy and Religious Studies [+] 2 completers-
Philosophy2-
Physical Sciences [+] 39 completers-
Astronomy2-
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology9-
Chemistry11-
Geology/Earth Science10-
Physics3-
Acoustics4-
Psychology [+] 25 completers-
Research and Experimental Psychology (other)18-
School Psychology5-
Educational Psychology2-
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting [+] 10 completers-
Forensic Science and Technology10-
Human Services [+] 14 completers-
Public Policy Analysis14-
Social Sciences [+] 45 completers-
Anthropology10-
Criminology2-
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics10-
Geography1$73,200
Political Science and Government11-
Sociology9-
Social Sciences (other)2-
Visual and Performing Arts [+] 46 completers-
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts7-
Art/Art Studies13-
Art History, Criticism and Conservation4-
Music History, Literature, and Theory4-
Music Performance14-
Music Theory and Composition2-
Keyboard Instruments2-
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences [+] 138 completers-
Communication Sciences and Disorders19$52,300
Health/Health Care Administration/Management14$70,000
Physician Assistant30-
Public Health37$55,400
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (other)38-
Business [+] 348 completers-
Business Administration and Management116$88,600
Accounting152$63,200
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration8$66,500
Labor and Industrial Relations26-
Management Science37$94,400
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (other)9-
Total1,602
Doctorate (Research) Programs and Number of Completers
ProgramAvailable OnlineNumber of CompletersAverage Earning after graduation
Agriculture [+] 18 completers-
Agricultural and Extension Education Services1-
Animal Sciences4-
Food Science3-
Agronomy and Crop Science1-
Horticultural Science2-
Plant Sciences (other)3-
Soil Science and Agronomy4-
Architecture [+] 4 completers-
Architecture4-
Communication and Journalism [+] 12 completers-
Speech Communication and Rhetoric6-
Mass Communication/Media Studies6-
Computer and Information Sciences [+] 44 completers-
Informatics3-
Information Science/Studies14-
Computer Science27-
Education [+] 78 completers-
Curriculum and Instruction27$61,200
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration9-
Educational/Instructional Technology7-
Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education5-
Special Education and Teaching3-
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services7-
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching3-
Art Teacher Education5-
Music Teacher Education2-
Trade and Industrial Teacher Education10-
Engineering [+] 193 completers-
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering9-
Agricultural Engineering6-
Architectural Engineering6-
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering7-
Chemical Engineering19-
Civil Engineering12-
Electrical and Electronics Engineering26-
Engineering Science16-
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering1-
Materials Engineering30-
Mechanical Engineering32-
Nuclear Engineering4-
Petroleum Engineering6-
Industrial Engineering19-
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics [+] 11 completers-
Linguistics2-
Comparative Literature2-
German Language and Literature2-
French Language and Literature1-
Spanish Language and Literature4-
Work and Family Studies [+] 12 completers-
Human Development and Family Studies12-
Legal Studies [+] 1 completers-
Programs for Foreign Lawyers1-
English Language and Literature [+] 10 completers-
English Language and Literature10-
Biological and Biomedical Sciences [+] 84 completers-
Biology/Biological Sciences5-
Biomedical Sciences17-
Biochemistry7-
Plant Pathology/Phytopathology1-
Anatomy3-
Immunology1-
Entomology9-
Animal Physiology3-
Pathology/Experimental Pathology1-
Biostatistics6-
Bioinformatics6-
Ecology5-
Epidemiology3-
Neuroscience5-
Biological and Biomedical Sciences (other)12-
Mathematics and Statistics [+] 34 completers-
Mathematics15-
Statistics19-
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies [+] 11 completers-
Nutrition Sciences4-
Sustainability Studies1-
Geography and Environmental Studies6-
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies [+] 7 completers-
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management3-
Kinesiology and Exercise Science4-
Philosophy and Religious Studies [+] 2 completers-
Philosophy2-
Physical Sciences [+] 81 completers-
Astronomy8-
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology8-
Chemistry37$74,900
Geology/Earth Science10-
Physics15-
Acoustics3-
Psychology [+] 30 completers-
Research and Experimental Psychology (other)25-
School Psychology1-
Educational Psychology4-
Social Sciences [+] 38 completers-
Anthropology4-
Criminology3-
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics12-
Geography9-
Political Science and Government5-
Sociology3-
Social Sciences (other)2-
Visual and Performing Arts [+] 8 completers-
Art History, Criticism and Conservation2-
Keyboard Instruments6-
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences [+] 25 completers-
Communication Sciences and Disorders5-
Health/Health Care Administration/Management4-
Public Health12-
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (other)4-
Business [+] 11 completers-
Business Administration and Management8-
Hospitality Administration/Management (other)3-
History [+] 4 completers-
History4-
Total718
Doctorate (Practice) Programs and Number of Completers
ProgramAvailable OnlineNumber of CompletersAverage Earning after graduation
Legal Studies [+] 216 completers-
Law216-
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences [+] 157 completers-
Medicine157-
Total373
Post-Bachelor's Programs and Number of Completers
ProgramAvailable OnlineNumber of CompletersAverage Earning after graduation
Education [+] 3 completers-
Educational Leadership and Administration2-
Educational Evaluation and Research1-
Engineering [+] 1 completers-
Engineering (other)1-
Engineering Technology [+] 1 completers-
Engineering-Related Technologies (other)1-
Mathematics and Statistics [+] 2 completers-
Statistics2-
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies [+] 2 completers-
International/Global Studies2-
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting [+] 3 completers-
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (other)3-
Human Services [+] 1 completers-
Public Administration1-
Social Sciences [+] 2 completers-
Geography1-
Geographic Information Science and Cartography1-
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences [+] 19 completers-
Medical Scientist5-
Public Health1-
International Public Health/International Health6-
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse1-
Palliative Care Nursing3-
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing3-
Business [+] 26 completers-
Business Administration and Management9-
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management3-
Project Management6-
Business Administration, Management and Operations (other)1-
Accounting1-
Human Resources Management and Services (other)1-
Management Science2-
Marketing Research2-
Taxation1-
Total60

Graduate Student Population at Penn State

For the academic year 2021-2022, total 15,438 students enrolled into Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduate schools where it has total 50,028 students including undergraduate students. By attending status, there are 8,397 full-time and 7,041 part-time graduate students. By gender, 7,987 male and 7,451 female students are attending graduate schools. The next table summarizes the graduate student population by gender and attending status.
Graduate School Student Population By Gender
TotalMaleFemale
Total15,4387,9877,451
Full-time8,3974,3094,088
Part-tme7,0413,6783,363
The next table summarizes the students population by race/ethnicity.
There are 8,394 White (54.37%), 717 Black/African American (4.64%), 1,032 Hispanic (6.68%), 903 Asian (5.85%), and 4,392 students with other races. 3,460 students are enrolled with non-resident alien status.
Graduate Student Population By Race/ethnicity
TotalMaleFemale
Total15,4387,9877,451
American Indian/Native American1468
Asian903458445
Black/African American717310407
Hispanic1,032494538
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander1385
White8,3944,2454,149
Two More464237227
Un-Known441203238
Non-resident Alien3,4602,0261,434
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers the distance learning opportunities (online degree program and/or courses) for graduate programs. 6,454 graduate students (41.81% of total students) are enrolled online exclusively and 1,734 graduate students (11.23% of total students) are enrolled some online courses. The next table summarizes the online student population.
Distance Learning Student Population
Number of Graduate Students
Total15,438
Enrolled Online Exclusively6,454
Enrolled Some Online Courses1,734
Not in Online Courses7,250
The following table summarizes the graduate students population by age at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. 3,746 students are aged 20 to 24 (24.26% of total students), 3 students are aged below 20 (0.02%), 629 students are aged above 50 (4.07%). Next table summarizes the student population by age at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
Graduate Student Population By Age
TotalMaleFemale
Total15,4387,9877,451
Age 18-19303
Age 20-2119289103
Age 22-243,5541,6741,880
Age 25-295,4922,8482,644
Age 30-342,6241,4711,153
Age 35-391,408795613
Age 40-491,536795741
Age 50-64601294307
Over 6428217

Similar Schools to Penn State

Compare similar schools to Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus with admission, tuition, and more academic facts.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is a Public, 4 years school located in Blacksburg, VA. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $17,083 for Virginia residents and $32,433 for out-of-state students. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 7,736 and it offers total 278 graduate programs(18 online programs).
Texas A & M University-College Station (TAMU) is a Public, 4 years school located in College Station, TX. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $10,687 for Texas residents and $23,395 for out-of-state students. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 16,502 and it offers total 477 graduate programs(87 online programs).
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a Private, 4 years school located in Dallas, TX. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $36,864 in average. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 4,997 and it offers total 227 graduate programs(30 online programs).
North Carolina State University at Raleigh (NCSU) is a Public, 4 years school located in Raleigh, NC. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $11,700 for North Carolina residents and $30,906 for out-of-state students. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 10,446 and it offers total 324 graduate programs(78 online programs).
Fordham University (Fordham) is a Private, 4 years school located in Bronx, NY. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $23,950 in average. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 6,458 and it offers total 261 graduate programs(1 online programs).
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is a Private, 4 years school located in Chicago, IL. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $35,721 in average. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 3,818 and it offers total 150 graduate programs(7 online programs).
Gallaudet University (Gallaudet) is a Private, 4 years school located in Washington, DC. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $19,380 in average. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 408 and it offers total 66 graduate programs(1 online programs).
University of Delaware (UD) is a Public, 4 years school located in Newark, DE. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $18,664 for Delaware residents and $18,664 for out-of-state students. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 4,557 and it offers total 312 graduate programs(8 online programs).
University of Connecticut (Connecticut) is a Public, 4 years school located in Storrs, CT. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $21,262 for Connecticut residents and $43,174 for out-of-state students. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 8,020 and it offers total 410 graduate programs(33 online programs).
University of San Diego (USD) is a Private, 4 years school located in San Diego, CA. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $28,878 in average. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 3,146 and it offers total 93 graduate programs(10 online programs).
Loyola Marymount University (Loyola Marymount) is a Private, 4 years school located in Los Angeles, CA. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $20,748 in average. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 2,866 and it offers total 120 graduate programs(10 online programs).
University of California-Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz) is a Public, 4 years school located in Santa Cruz, CA. The 2023 graduate program tuition & fees is $14,213 for California residents and $29,315 for out-of-state students. The school has a total graduate enrollment of 1,976 and it offers total 165 graduate programs.

Pennsylvania Best Graduate Schools

Check out the best graduate programs in Pennsylvania and compare them to get right decision.
University of PennsylvaniaPrivate, 4 yearsPhiladelphia, PA
Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate, 4 yearsPittsburgh, PA
Lehigh UniversityPrivate, 4 yearsBethlehem, PA
Villanova UniversityPrivate, 4 yearsVillanova, PA
Muhlenberg CollegePrivate, 4 yearsAllentown, PA
Bucknell UniversityPrivate, 4 yearsLewisburg, PA
Data Source: