Attendance Costs in 2015 - 2016 Varied Between $21,752 & $48,900
Worried about paying the full cost of $48,900 to attend Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus? That number can be deceiving, as the net amount most students will pay varies significantly.
For students living in Pennsylvania, the university offers a discount of 44.1% off tuition and fees. Also, 42.0% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $8,945. Students from low-income families receive an average of $13,316 in aid during their first year.
Cost for Residents of Pennsylvania (no aid)
| Tuition and fees | $17,514 |
| + Room and board | $10,926 |
| + Other expenses | $6,628 |
| Total cost | $35,068 |
Net Price for Residents of Pennsylvania (with average aid)
| Total cost | $35,068 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $8,945 |
| Net price | $26,123 |
Average Net Price for Low Income Residents of Pennsylvania
| Total cost | $35,068 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $13,316 |
| Net price | $21,752 |
Cost for Non-Residents (no aid)
| Tuition and fees | $31,346 |
| + Room and board | $10,926 |
| + Other expenses | $6,628 |
| Total cost | $48,900 |
Net Price for Non-Residents (with average aid)
| Total cost | $48,900 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $8,945 |
| Net price | $39,955 |
Average Net Price for Low Income Non-Resident Undergraduates
| Total cost | $48,900 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $13,316 |
| Net price | $35,584 |
Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at Penn State.
Projected Costs Between $101,485 and $299,619 For a Four Year Degree. Between $48,530 and $145,397 For a Two Year Degree.
It can be a bit scary to look at the total projected cost of a college education over the course of a multi-year degree, however, doing so will help you better understand the financial commitment you are making.
The overall cost for on-campus, in-state students to attend Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus in 2015 - 2016 was $35,068. To calculate future costs, we looked at the prior five years of data and determined that this cost increased an average of 3.0% each year.
If this trend continues, we expect the full cost for incoming freshmen to be $37,196 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $40,634, for a bachelor degree candidate ($38,309 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $155,593 over the course of four years ($75,505 over the course of two years). These numbers do not take into consideration financial aid, which reduces this overall cost by varying amounts per student.
The cost for out-of-state students is more, with an overall expected four-year cost of $216,964 based on a yearly growth rate of 3.0%. The expected two-year cost is $105,287.
Remember, the full costs quoted above are not what most students will pay, and the net price varies quite a bit based on individual circumstances.
Cost With Interest for Residents of Pennsylvania
The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.
| Projected 2-Year Net Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 4.1% | 3.0% |
| Freshman year | $23,736 | $28,314 | $37,196 |
| Senior year | $24,794 | $29,478 | $38,309 |
| Total 2-year net price | $48,530 | $57,793 | $75,505 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $18,488 | $22,017 | $28,765 |
| Total monthly payment | $558 | $665 | $869 |
| Total amount paid | $67,018 | $79,809 | $104,270 |
| Projected 4-Year Net Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 4.1% | 3.0% |
| Freshman year | $23,736 | $28,314 | $37,196 |
| Senior year | $27,055 | $31,951 | $40,634 |
| Total 4-year net price | $101,485 | $120,433 | $155,593 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $38,662 | $45,881 | $59,275 |
| Total monthly payment | $1,168 | $1,386 | $1,791 |
| Total amount paid | $140,147 | $166,314 | $214,868 |
Cost With Interest for Out-Of-State Residents
The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.
| Projected 2-Year Net Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 3.5% | 3.0% |
| Freshman year | $38,451 | $42,801 | $51,868 |
| Senior year | $39,969 | $44,299 | $53,419 |
| Total 2-year net price | $78,420 | $87,100 | $105,287 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $29,875 | $33,182 | $40,110 |
| Total monthly payment | $902 | $1,002 | $1,212 |
| Total amount paid | $108,295 | $120,281 | $145,397 |
| Projected 4-Year Net Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 3.5% | 3.0% |
| Freshman year | $38,451 | $42,801 | $51,868 |
| Senior year | $43,189 | $47,454 | $56,661 |
| Total 4-year net price | $163,158 | $180,403 | $216,964 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $62,157 | $68,727 | $82,655 |
| Total monthly payment | $1,878 | $2,076 | $2,497 |
| Total amount paid | $225,315 | $249,130 | $299,619 |
Visit net price and financial aid to learn more about the total cost of attending Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus.
Further Questions to Consider
- Do you know your deadlines?
Meeting application deadlines for both the college and the FAFSA is crucial to getting financial aid.
- When can you expect to begin receiving bills from the college?
- Is there an option to make payments in monthly installments?
