🏅 QS World Rank #92
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
A Big Ten giant with one of America’s largest alumni networks — QS World Rankings 2027 (joint #92)
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is a public research university whose main campus is at University Park, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1855. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is joint 92nd in the world. This guide covers programmes, admission, 2026 tuition, scholarship notes, advice for applicants from Pakistan and common questions.
Penn State Overview
Penn State was founded in 1855 and is Pennsylvania’s land-grant university and a member of the Big Ten. Its University Park campus is in State College, a large university town.
It is known for engineering, business through the Smeal College, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (including meteorology) and agricultural sciences. It also has campuses across Pennsylvania.
Penn State Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
Penn State is joint 92nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026.
This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
Penn State is known for:
- Engineering
- Meteorology and earth sciences in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
- Business through the Smeal College of Business
- Agricultural sciences
- Information sciences and technology
- A very large alumni network, as the university describes itself
This page does not quote subject ranks. Check the current QS subject tables for exact positions.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
Anyone who needs a visa to study at Penn State is classed as an international applicant. Confirm all details on the official pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application | Apply through MyPennState or the Common Application |
| Tests and English | Check Penn State’s international admission pages for the current test and English-proficiency rules |
| Selection | Review of academic record, curriculum and other application materials. Some majors are more competitive |
| Financial certification | After accepting an offer, you must show funds to cover your first calendar year, excluding travel, and indicate how you will cover later years |
| Visa | F-1 student visa after admission. Penn State Global helps with the I-20 process |
Penn State Acceptance Rate
Penn State does not state one acceptance rate for international applicants on the pages we could read, so this page does not quote one. The old “about 55%” figure was not tied to a source. Competition varies by major.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and read its entry and language requirements
- Check the application deadline for your intake
- Book an English (or other required) language test
- Prepare transcripts, identification and any required documents
- Apply and accept your offer
- Meet the visa or residence-permit conditions for your destination
- Plan funding for tuition and living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on Penn State’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
For fall 2026, Penn State lists these annual tuition rates for University Park students who are not Pennsylvania residents:
- Lower division (first and second year): US$44,574
- Upper division, science, IST and EMS programmes: US$49,616
- Upper division, business and engineering: US$52,656
- Upper division, all other programmes: US$46,812
These are tuition only. Fees, housing, food, books and insurance are extra, so use Penn State’s calculator. The old range of US$38,000 to US$40,000 did not match these rates.
Source: Penn State fall 2026 tuition rates. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Undergraduate scholarships for international students: we could not confirm a university-wide undergraduate merit scholarship for international first-year students on the pages we read. Check Penn State’s Costs and Aid pages and your college.
- Presidential Leadership Academy: this is a selective programme for current first-year students (30 students are admitted each spring), not an entrance scholarship. The old page described it as an award for incoming students.
- Other funding: see our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027.
Source: Penn State Presidential Leadership Academy. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Penn State for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants apply as international students:
- Application: choose MyPennState or the Common Application
- English: prepare IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help.
- Money: prepare proof of funds for the first year and a plan for later years
- Visa: an F-1 student visa is required
Campus & Student Life
- University Park is in State College, a large self-contained university town
- Penn State has a very strong sports culture, and its teams are known as the Nittany Lions
- The campus is large, with extensive labs and facilities
- The university has many campuses across Pennsylvania
Research & Career Opportunities
- Penn State is research-intensive, with strong engineering and business programmes
- Graduates work in engineering, technology, business, energy and the public sector
- Smeal College of Business and engineering colleges have industry links
- Penn State does not guarantee employment, salary or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Franco Harris, NFL Hall of Fame running back, played football at Penn State
- Check Penn State’s alumni pages for other notable alumni
Contact & Location
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
Official website: psu.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Pennsylvania State University is joint 92nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026.
Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is well known for meteorology. This page does not quote a subject rank.
Yes, Penn State is a member of the Big Ten.
Penn State is best known for engineering, meteorology, business and agricultural sciences.
For fall 2026, tuition is US$44,574 for lower-division University Park students who are not Pennsylvania residents, and US$46,812 to US$52,656 in the upper division.
No. It is a selective programme for current first-year students, with 30 students admitted each spring.
Through MyPennState or the Common Application. Penn State treats anyone who needs a visa as an international applicant.
Yes. After accepting an offer, you must show funds for your first calendar year, excluding travel, and indicate how you will cover later years.
Yes. Pakistani applicants apply as international students with their results, English evidence and the documents Penn State lists.
Check Penn State’s official pages at admissions.psu.edu. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare Penn State With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, Penn State’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.