Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
University Park, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public institution in University Park, Pennsylvania with 41,862 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $20,234 compared with a Pennsylvania nursing-school average of $27,827. The school reports a graduation rate of 85.7%, median earnings of $63,435, and median federal debt of $25,000.
$20,234 is lower than the state average of $27,827.
85.7% is higher than the state average of 60.6%.
$63,435 is higher than the state average of $51,655.
About Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
| Location | University Park, Pennsylvania |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.psu.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $20,234 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,188 |
| Total Enrollment | 41,862 |
| Acceptance Rate | 54.2% |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% |
| Retention Rate | 92.0% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $63,435 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $265 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 13.3% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 39.9% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.4 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
13.3% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 39.9% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $80,936, while the reported median debt is $25,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $265. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
Quick Links
Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (62.9%), followed by Hispanic students (9.2%) and Asian students (7.1%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($63,435) divided by median debt ($25,000)