Tuition, Fees, and Living Costs Analysis

UndergraduateGraduatePer Credit HourComparison

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

For the academic year 2023-2024, the undergraduate tuition & fees at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $20,234 for Pennsylvania residents and $40,188 for out-of-state students. It has been risen by 2.01% for Pennsylvania residents and increased by 3.98% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. Its in-state undergraduate tuition and fees is much higher than the average amount ($12,520) and its out-of-state undergraduate tuition and fees is a little bit higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $32,581.
The 2025 estimated undergraduate tuition & fees for Penn State is $20,641 for Pennsylvania residents and $41,786 for out-of-state students which is a 4.0% increase compared to 2024's rate.
It has been risen by 2.01% for Pennsylvania residents and increased by 3.98% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. The living costs including for room, board, transpiration, and other personal expenses is $17,818 for year 2024. The on-campus living costs increased by 0.26% compared to the previous year.The off-campus living costs increased by 2.61% compared to the previous year.
You may want to compare the school to other Pennsylvania schools with tuition changes from last year at Pennsylvania colleges tuition change page.
Penn State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-StateOn Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$19,835 $38,651$17,772
2023-2024$20,234$40,188$17,818
Change % 2023-20242.01%3.98%0.26%
2024-2025$20,641$41,786$17,864
Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: 03/01/2024)
Cost estimates for 2024-2025 are based on last year's rate of change.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - COA
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Undergraduate Tuition Chart
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Room and Board Coost Chart

Graduate Tuition & Fees

For Graduate School, in-state tuition and fees is $25,518 and out-of-state tuition and fees is $43,828 for the academic year 2023-2024. Its in-state graduate tuition and fees is much higher than the average amount ($13,819) and its out-of-state graduate tuition and fees is much higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $29,192.
The 2025 estimated tuition & fees at Penn State is $26,031 for Pennsylvania residents and $45,572 for out-of-state students which is a 4.0% increase compared to 2024's rate.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has a law school and its tuition is different from other graduate programs, usually higher. The law school tuition is $56,436. See the detailed law school tuition at Penn State Law page.
Penn State Graduate Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-StateOn Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$25,015 $42,151$17,772
2023-2024$25,518$43,828$17,818
Change % 2023-20242.01%3.98%0.26%
2024-2025$26,031$45,572$17,864
***
Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: 03/01/2024)
Cost estimates for 2024-2025 are based on last year's rate of change.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Graduate Tuition Chart

Tuition Per Credit Hour

The below table describes the cost per credit hour for part-time students and/or full-time students who take additional courses more than regular credit hours at Penn State. The undergraduate tuition per credit hour is $820 for Pennsylvania residents and $1,651 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $1,039 for Pennsylvania residents and $1,802 for out-of-state students.
Per Credit Hour Charge (2023-2024)
YearIn-StateOut-of-State
Undergraduate2022-2023$804$1,588
2023-2024$820$1,651
2024-2025$836$1,716
Graduate2022-2023$1,019$1,733
2023-2024$1,039$1,802
2024-2025$1,059$1,874
The 2024 costs per credit hour has been officially published by IPEDS and 2025 costs is estimated based on the change rate of last two years.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Tuition per Credit Hour
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Books and Supplies Costs

Compare Tuition to Similar Colleges

The next table compares the tuition & fees between Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and its similar schools. The similar schools are based on factors such as school type, level, and rivalry schools.
Tuition Comparison between Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Similar Schools
In-StateOut-of-State
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$20,234$40,188
The Pennsylvania State University$15,890$25,574
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus$21,524$39,890
Temple University$22,082$37,462
West Chester University of Pennsylvania$10,687$22,511
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus$15,054$15,204

Four(4) Years Tuition & Fees and Costs of Attendance

Tuition & FeesCOAAfter Financial Aid

How Much is the tuition for 4 years at Penn State?

For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated tuition for 4 years at Penn State is $85,495 for Pennsylvania residents and $172,782 for out-of-state students.
The estimation excludes the book, supplies, and living costs before receiving any financial aid. See the other tabs for estimating 4-year total costs of attendance and after financial aid. The next table shows the estimated 4-years tuition & fees for the next 5 admission years. The estimation is based on 4-years changes in tuition & fees at the school.
Four(4) Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$20,680$21,136$21,602$22,078$85,495
Out-of-State$41,357$42,559$43,796$45,070$172,782
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$21,136$21,602$22,078$22,564$87,380
Out-of-State$42,559$43,796$45,070$46,380$177,805
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$21,602$22,078$22,564$23,062$89,306
Out-of-State$43,796$45,070$46,380$47,729$182,975
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$22,078$22,564$23,062$23,570$91,274
Out-of-State$45,070$46,380$47,729$49,117$188,296
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$22,564$23,062$23,570$24,090$93,286
Out-of-State$46,380$47,729$49,117$50,545$193,770

Total College Costs Including Living Costs and Personal Expenses

The table shows the 4-years estimation of total costs of attendance (COA). It includes the tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, room & board charges, and other living expenses.
For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated 4-years COA is $165,925 for Pennsylvania residents and $253,212 for out-of-state students.
The next table shows the 4-year COA estimation for the next 5 admission years at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
Four(4) Years of Costs of Attendance
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$40,516$41,152$41,799$42,459$165,925
Out-of-State$61,193$62,575$63,994$65,451$253,212
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$41,152$41,799$42,459$43,130$168,540
Out-of-State$62,575$63,994$65,451$66,946$258,965
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$41,799$42,459$43,130$43,815$171,203
Out-of-State$63,994$65,451$66,946$68,482$264,872
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$42,459$43,130$43,815$44,512$173,916
Out-of-State$65,451$66,946$68,482$70,059$270,937
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$43,130$43,815$44,512$45,223$176,680
Out-of-State$66,946$68,482$70,059$71,677$277,164

Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid

Last year, 56% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarship aid. It includes any financial aid from the federal government, state, local, institute, and other sources known by the institution. It excludes federal/private student loans.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $119,629 for Pennsylvania residents and $206,916 for out-of-state students.
The next table shows the 4-year COA estimation with financial aid for the next 5 admission years at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
Four(4) Years Costs of Attendance after Financial Aid
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$28,942$29,578$30,225$30,885$119,629
Out-of-State$49,619$51,001$52,420$53,877$206,916
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$29,578$30,225$30,885$31,556$122,244
Out-of-State$51,001$52,420$53,877$55,372$212,669
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$30,225$30,885$31,556$32,241$124,907
Out-of-State$52,420$53,877$55,372$56,908$218,576
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$30,885$31,556$32,241$32,938$127,620
Out-of-State$53,877$55,372$56,908$58,485$224,641
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$31,556$32,241$32,938$33,649$130,384
Out-of-State$55,372$56,908$58,485$60,103$230,868

Tuition, Fees, and Living Cost Tables and Charts

Next tables and charts illustrate the 2024 tuition, fees, books & supplies, and living costs in detail. We provide the previous 5 years' costs so that you can check the increased amounts of each cost item and estimate future year costs. In addition, you can check the financial aid amount including grant, scholarship, and federal student loans for the last five years. Use the left menu to explore the tuition and college costs information at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
Tuition & Fees | Financial Aid
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus 2024 Costs of Attendance
In-StateOut-of-State
Tuition and FeesBook & SuppliesLiving Costs Tuition & FeesBook & SuppliesLiving Costs
Undergraduate$20,234$1,840$17,818$40,188$1,840 $17,818
Graduate$25,518 $1,840$17,818$43,828 $1,840$17,818
Best Programs at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus have been chosen for one of best colleges in next area of majors.
Members In B1G
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a member of The Big Ten Conference (B1G). Check and Compare to other members.


Most Searched Pennsylvania Colleges (last 30 days)
UndergraduateGraduateOnline ProgramsCommunity CollegesTrade Schools
Related Articles and Ads