Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State, is a public, land-grant, research university located in University Park, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855 as a degree-granting institution, the new school was known as the Farmer’s High School of Pennsylvania. A series of name changes and changes in the curriculum saw the school go from an agricultural college in 1862 to a more classic degree granting educational institution in 1875 – just one year after the school’s name was again changed to Pennsylvania State College. In 1953, university president Milton Eisenhower moved to change the name of the college to Pennsylvania State University with its main campus designated as University Park.
Today, Penn State maintains over 20 campuses in Pennsylvania including a Virutal World Campus. Apart from its academic divisions, the university also has special-mission units including Penn State Great Valley; the School of Graduate Professional Studies; Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center; and Penn State Dickinson School of Law.
The University Park campus is organized into 13 distinct and distinguished colleges through which students can choose a field of specialization. These colleges include the College of Agricultural Sciences; Arts and Architecture; Business; Communications; Law; Earth and Mineral Sciences; Education; Engineering; Health and Human Development; Information Sciences and Technology; Liberal Arts; Science; Graduate School; and Honors College.
Cost of tuition for Penn State differs for residents of Pennsylvania and for non-residents. Rates also vary depending on the degree program chosen and the specific area of specialization. Financial aid in the form of loans, grants and scholarships for qualified students is extended to help students pay for their cost of attendance.
On campus housing is available and required of all freshman students.