Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington

Public · Moderately Selective · PA

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationPA · Northeast

SettingRural

Undergrads416

Student:faculty9:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate17.2%

6-yr grad rate27.6%

Drop-out rate14.6%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$14k

Out-of-state tuition$24k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity23.3%

Gender diversity34.9%

International1%

Identity—

Overview

Penn State New Kensington is a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University in the Alle-Kiski Valley northeast of Pittsburgh. It offers a smaller, more personal entry point into the Penn State system than the University Park flagship, with students earning the same Penn State degree either way.

Academics

A handful of degrees, including engineering technology and nursing options, can be completed entirely at the New Kensington campus. Many other students use the campus for the standard Penn State 2+2 path, starting coursework locally before transitioning to University Park to finish their major, with small early classes easing that transition.

Campus & student life

The campus draws heavily from the surrounding Alle-Kiski Valley and greater Pittsburgh area, giving it a regional, commuter-leaning character rather than a traditional four-year residential feel. Its proximity to Pittsburgh opens up internship and job opportunities beyond the immediate campus.

Getting in

Admission to a commonwealth campus like New Kensington is generally less competitive than direct entry to University Park, and it functions for many students as an intentional path into the Penn State system rather than a fallback.

newkensington.psu.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate95.3%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1110–1265

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying