Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Introduction

Founded in 1855, Penn State is a major, public Research I university with 24 campuses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, dedicated to the three-fold mission of teaching, research and public service. The University is ranked annually as one of the best universities in the United States and the world. As Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, Penn State educates nearly 100,000 students each year in more than 160 baccalaureate degree programs and more than 190 graduate degree programs. Penn State has a campus within practical commuting distance of virtually every Pennsylvanian. Many students start their degree programs at one of 19 Penn State undergraduate campuses across the state and complete their requirements at University Park. Penn State World Campus delivers more than 175 degrees and professional programs online to more than 13,000 students a year, including military personnel serving overseas. The university also offers degree programs at the College of Medicine at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Dickinson Law, and Penn State Law. Penn State collaborates with industrial, educational, governmental and agricultural partners to create, disseminate, integrate and apply knowledge that is valuable to society. The University is among the nation’s leaders in research with total expenditures in excess of $1 billion. Penn State’s Graduate School is a leader in engaging students in landmark research, and opportunities for discovery also extend to undergraduates, who have unique opportunities to work with world-class faculty conducting significant research that advances and serves the nation in important ways. Penn State contributes more than $11.6 billion to the state’s economy and supports, directly and indirectly, more than 105,000 jobs across Pennsylvania in 2017. With fundamental science as a foundation, translating innovative ideas and technologies into practices that accelerate economic development and improve the quality of life is a top priority. As part of its Invent Penn State initiative, the University has funded 21 innovation hubs, designed to bolster entrepreneurship and economic development in communities surrounding its campuses across Pennsylvania. Penn State’s Alumni Association has more than 174,000 members with 245 chapters, societies and interest groups worldwide. Visit http://www.psu.edu for more information.