Financial
Penn State is a public university that receives some funding from the government and from taxpayers. There is, at this time, essentially no financial aid available for international undergraduate students. U.S. Citizenship or legal permanent residency is a requirement for federal funds; Pennsylvania residency is a further requirement for state funds.
Breakout of Undergraduate Expenses for: Abington, Beaver, Brandywine, DuBois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, Worthington Scranton, and York
Full-Time Estimated Tuition Rates
1st & 2nd Year Students | $26,700 |
Upper Division Business, Science, IST & Engineering Programs | $30,900 |
All Other Upper Division Programs | $28,800 |
Tuition estimates include an additional $2,000 in Undergraduate Fees including annual amounts for student fees and international fees.
The tuition estimates listed above are based on the minimum number of credits required by the Department of Homeland Security to maintain full-time student status (12 Credits). Scheduling more than the minimum number of credits may increase your tuition charges. The figures provided here are estimates only.
The upper division tuition rate will apply to undergraduate students with a minimum of 59.1 credits, regardless of how earned.
Tuition charges are set each July by the Bursar's Office immediately preceding the academic year.
Living Expenses
We estimate 12 months of living expenses to be $21,300 for an undergraduate student. This includes approximately $1,900 for books and supplies.
The estimated $1,900 cost for books and the estimated $19,400 for living expenses are based on figures provided to us by the Student Aid Office for the current academic year. The $19,400 figure includes estimated amounts for room, board, clothing, laundry, personal care items, local transportation, and so on. To obtain a Visa Eligibility Document to apply for an F-1 or J-1 Student Visa, we must receive proof of support for 12 months (federal regulation).
Mandatory Health Insurance
The estimated insurance rate of $3,000 for the Fall 2023-Spring2024 academic year was provided by the Student Insurance Office, using actual amounts as possible. Actual rates will be posted on the Student Health Insurance website closer to the start of the fall semester.
More information about the Insurance Mandate.
Bringing a Spouse or Child
If you will be accompanied by dependents, you will be fully responsible for their support and additional funds are required. Health insurance is mandatory for all accompanying dependents. University assistantship stipends are not sufficient to cover dependents' expenses and are not intended to do so. The high cost of child care for pre-school children (ages 0-6 years) is not included in the child expenses figures. Beginning in August 2015, child insurance expenses have a maximum fee for 3 or more children.
Living | Mandatory Insurance | TOTAL ADDITIONAL FUNDS | |
Spouse | $6,000 | $3,700 | $9,700 |
First Child | $3,500 | $3,700 | $7,200 |
Second Child | $3,500 | $3,700 | $7,200 |
Each Additional Child | $3,500 | Included | $3,500 |