There are two ways you can choose to apply to Penn State:
• MyPennState Application
• Common Application
Please visit the undergraduate major and requirements page for additional information. You can find all of Penn State's majors and requirements, including our options if you're undecided or not entirely sure of your intended major.
Please visit our calendar of events and RSVP for one of our scheduled visits.
A parking pass will be emailed to the student 48 hours prior to your scheduled visit. If you did not receive the pass or if you do not have the ability to print, a parking pass will be provided upon check-in.
First-year student admissions decisions are made on the basis of several combined factors: final grades in all subject areas for years nine, ten, and eleven of high school if you are currently a high school senior, and weighted average or class rank for students who have taken AP/Honors courses --required Carnegie (high school) units-standardized test scores (SAT/SAT 1 or ACT). First-year applicants to Penn State will be able to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications through Summer/Fall 2026.
Transfer admissions decisions are made on the basis of a student's cumulative collegiate grade-point average and completion of appropriate prerequisite courses. Requirements vary by academic college and semester standing may affect availability of campus locations.
You can check the status of your application on your MyPennState account. You will also receive information through the mail regarding the outcome of the application evaluation.
We ask that you resist the urge to email or call the admissions office “just to check” your application status. Heavy email and phone traffic can slow the evaluation process as it means that counselors who ordinarily would be processing and evaluating applications will instead be handling these requests for information.
Applicants are evaluated on a modified rolling admissions schedule. Additionally, some academic programs have limited enrollment and specific application dates. The deadline for first-year, domestic students to apply Early Action is November 1. For those students choosing not to apply Early Action and for all domestic students, we recommend submission of a complete application, including all required materials, by December 1.
No. We also make no distinction between students who attended public schools and those who attended private schools.
Interviews are not typically required as part of the admission evaluation. Only special admission programs such as the provisional and education opportunity programs require admission interviews. Additionally, some academic colleges, such as the College of Arts & Architecture, may make use of an interview, audition, or portfolio review.
No. Currently our campus can accommodate 690 first year students who wish to live on-campus. Housing at Penn State Harrisburg is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after accepting your offer of admission. Learn more about on-campus housing.
No. Penn State does not employ any geographic quotas or limitations on students attending the University. Therefore, there is no need to make use of differentiated admission criteria.
Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs at Penn State Harrisburg will receive a Pennsylvania State University diploma-the same distinction received by graduates of Penn State University Park. The same renowned and respected diploma from The Pennsylvania State University ensures that graduates from Penn State Harrisburg will receive the same consideration and respect in the job market.
Visit the Penn State Harrisburg Financial Aid Website.
For tailored information on tuition, please visit Penn State's tuition calculator.
Please visit our Off-Campus Housing page to review a list of off campus listings and/or to sign up to our Roommate Selection Service to access other Penn State Harrisburg students seeking roommates.
Accepted students will receive email communications regarding their next steps. This includes information about New Student Orientation (NSO) - the event where students schedule their first semester of courses.
