Penn State University Park

In 2022, tuition for full-time Penn State - University Park students was $18,368 a year for in-state students and $35,946 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students owe way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at Penn State - University Park is $35,946 per year.

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

Penn State - University Park is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $18,368 for in-state students who attend full-time. For students who are not considered Pennsylvania-residents, out-of-state tuition is $35,946 a year.

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 check your state's requirements for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. 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 additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Penn State - University Park International Student Tuition

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

International students at Penn State - University Park usually pay around $35,946 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

---

Penn State - University Park Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

---

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Penn State.

Room and Board Costs at Penn State

Room and board at Penn State costs $12,744 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the Penn State's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who do not live on-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 vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Penn State

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At Penn State, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area could be expensive, but cities may offer more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Penn State - University Parkis located in a small town setting in Pennsylvania, not far from Harrisburg.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

---

Total Tuition and Expenses at Penn State - University Park

---

Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Penn State.

Total Cost of Penn State

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$18,368
Out-of-State Tuition	$35,946
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.

---

Penn State - University Park Financial Aid

---

In 2022, 15,483 of the 40,600 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Penn State meets 62.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $10,491 a year. Around 54.67% of Penn State undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Penn State graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $43,359 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,225
Penn State-Specific Loans	$9,611
Private Loans	$57,057

Most Common Loans for Penn State Students
Federal Loans	52.6%
Institutional Loans	1.13%
Private loans	20.87%

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 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 2022, Penn State awarded 6,958 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $116.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $47.36 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 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 was $10,491 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Penn State seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$15,722
Net In-state, Off-campus	$19,087
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$43,791

What will attending Penn State 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 get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Penn State'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 reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a 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.

---

Learn More About Penn State - University Park

---

Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Penn State:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Penn State