Altoona, Berks, Erie and Harrisburg: Breakout of Undergraduate Expenses

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.

Tuition estimates include an additional $2,100 for annual cost of student initiated fees and International fees.

The tuition estimates listed below 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. Tuition charges are set each July by the Bursar's Office immediately preceding the academic year.

The upper division tuition rate will apply to bills of undergraduate students with a minimum of 59.1 credits, regardless of how earned. For initial visa eligibility documents, only the 1st and 2nd year student rates will apply, as this office is not able to determine the amount of acceptable transfer credits a student will have on record at the time of issuing the initial document.

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The estimated living expenses are $20,700 for an undergraduate student. This includes approximately $1,200 for books, course materials, supplies, and equipment.

Estimates are based on figures provided by the Office OF Student Aid for the current academic year (fall and spring semesters only). Amounts include estimates for room, food, clothing, laundry, personal care items, local transportation, and so on.

The estimated insurance rate of $3,400 for the Fall 2025-Spring 2026 academic year was provided to us 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.

If you will be accompanied by dependents, you will be fully responsible for their support and additional funds are required. Medical 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. Child insurance expenses have a maximum rate for 3 or more children.