Pennsylvania State University

Twenty-four campuses; 17,000 faculty and staff; 100,000 students; a teaching hospital with 1 million patient visits a year; over one-half million active alumni; an online World Campus that empowers anyone to pursue an education—anytime, anywhere; and the largest student-run philanthropic organization on the planet.

We teach students that the real measure of success is what you do to improve the lives of others, and they learn to be hard-working leaders with a global perspective. We conduct research to improve lives. We add millions to the economy through projects in our state and beyond. We help communities by sharing our faculty expertise and research.

Penn State lives close by no matter where you are. Our campuses are located from one side of Pennsylvania to the other.Through Penn State World Campus, students can take courses and work toward degrees online from anywhere on the globe that has Internet service.We support students in many ways, including advising and counseling services for school and life; diversity and inclusion services; social media sites; safety services; and emergency assistance.

Our network of more than a half-million alumni is accessible to students when they want advice and to learn about job networking and mentor opportunities as well as what to expect in the future. Through our alumni, Penn State lives all over the world.

The best part of Penn State is our people. Our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends in communities near our campuses and across the globe are dedicated to education and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.As a prospective student, are you looking for a university that balances academic rigor with a student experience rich in opportunities? Look no further.Your years at Penn State will be an incredibly wonderful time when you’ll meet friends you’ll have for a lifetime. You’ll roll up your sleeves and work hard in your courses. Your efforts will help you succeed in your career and in life.Out of the classroom? Clubs and organizations range from A to Z, including intramural and varsity sports. Entertainment and cultural events are happening all the time. Every campus is a lively, fun place to be.The diversity of our students and faculty creates an exciting mix of cultures. And you can discover even more diversity by participating in educational opportunities across the globe.Your contributions to the world will begin with your Penn State degree. Your experience and knowledge will form a foundation for the life you'll build.

Penn State is in the top 1 percent of universities worldwide. It has the largest alumni network in the nation. Founded in 1855, it combines academic rigor with a vibrant campus life. Granted the highest rating for research universities by the Carnegie Foundation, Penn State teaches students to be leaders with a global perspective.

Penn State is a leader in higher education and carries out its mission of teaching, research, and service with pride and focus on the future.Our leadership in administration, faculty, and staff make our mission come alive every day.The Board of Trustees reviews and approves the budget of the University and guides general goals, policies, and procedures from a big-picture perspective. The President’s office ensures that all aspects of the University are running smoothly and promotes overall principles that students, faculty, and staff abide by for the long term. The University Faculty Senate represents the Penn State faculty with legislative authority on all matters regarding the University's educational interests.We strive to celebrate diversity in all aspects of our educational and operational activities. Our strategic plans are designed to result in ongoing improvements that help prepare future generations of leaders. Our budget is an integral part of our strategic process.

With over $800 million in annual research expenditures, Penn State ranks among the top 20 U.S. research universities, and is one of only two institutions in the nation accorded land grant, sea grant, sun grant, and space grant status.

As Pennsylvania's only land-grant university, Penn State has a broad mission of teaching, research, and public service. But that mission was not so grandly conceived in 1855, when the Commonwealth chartered it as one of the nation's first colleges of agricultural science, with a goal to apply scientific principles to farming.

Centre County became the site of the new college in response to a gift of 200 acres from gentleman farmer and ironmaster James Irvin of Bellefonte. Founding President Evan Pugh drew on the scientific education he had received in Europe to plan a curriculum that combined theoretical studies with practical applications.

Pugh and similar visionaries in other states championed Congressional passage of the Morrill Land-Grant Act in 1862. The act enabled states to sell federal land, invest the proceeds, and use the income to support colleges "where the leading object shall be, without excluding scientific and classical studies ... to teach agriculture and the mechanic arts [engineering] ... in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in all the pursuits and professions of life." The state legislature designated Penn State the land-grant institution of Pennsylvania.