
New Kensington, PApublicnewkensington.psu.edu
Admit rate has ranged 91%–93% over the last 2 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Penn State New Kensington offers a rare hybrid: the intimate, supportive environment of a small campus with the vast resources of the Penn State system. Just 17 miles from Pittsburgh, this branch campus delivers accessible admissions (95% acceptance rate) and eight bachelor's degrees with a focus on practical fields like Information Technology and Business. While graduation rates lag (35%), its affordability and proximity to a major city make it a pragmatic choice for students seeking a Penn State degree without the flagship's intensity.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Penn State New Kensington is one of the most accessible gateways into the Penn State system, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 95% across multiple reports. The middle 50% of admitted students typically have:
Unlike the flagship University Park campus (55% acceptance rate), New Kensington operates as a test-optional institution, emphasizing high school GPA and coursework rigor. Notably, 94% of female applicants were admitted in recent cycles, slightly higher than male applicants (93.31%).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
The campus offers eight bachelor’s degrees (all completable on-site) and five associate degrees, with standout programs in:
Small class sizes and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio foster close mentorship. Many students begin here before transitioning to University Park, leveraging the "2+2" plan where the first two years at New Kensington cost significantly less. The IT program’s focus on applied problem-solving and industry-aligned skills reflects the campus’s vocational tilt.
With just 421 enrolled students, the campus thrives on tight-knit camaraderie. The Student Life office orchestrates:
Proximity to Pittsburgh (17 miles) expands off-campus options, from internships to Steelers games. A 2016 campus video highlighted the "shared experiences" ethos, where students bond over research projects and intramurals. No Greek life exists here—socializing revolves around campus-organized activities and Pittsburgh’s urban offerings.
The 4-year graduation rate is 35% (below the national 59% average for 4-year schools), though this reflects the campus’s role as a springboard to other Penn State campuses. Key data points:
Many students transfer to University Park, muddying completion metrics. Those who stay benefit from 94% grant aid coverage and strong regional employer ties in tech and healthcare.
A 94% grant aid rate softens the sticker price:
The tuition calculator estimates $96,134 total net cost for a 4-year degree—a bargain compared to University Park’s $140K+.
Penn State New Kensington is the anti-flagship: no cutthroat competition, no sprawling lecture halls. Its value lies in:
Ideal for practical learners who want Big Ten resources without Big Ten stress.