Schuylkill Haven, PApublicschuylkill.psu.edu
Admit rate has ranged 86%–91% 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 Schuylkill offers the academic rigor of a Big Ten university in a small-campus setting, where nearly all applicants gain admission but face stark graduation rate challenges. Known for hands-on research opportunities and a tight-knit community, it serves as a launchpad for students aiming to transition to University Park or enter regional workforce pipelines.
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.
With 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 between 91-97% across sources, Penn State Schuylkill operates as one of the most accessible entry points into the Penn State system. The middle 50% GPA range for admitted students falls between 2.9-3.5, with SAT scores spanning 885-1240 (evidence-based reading/writing + math). Notably, nearly half of enrolled first-years held a 4.0 GPA in high school, suggesting a bifurcated applicant pool where high achievers coexist with those benefiting from the campus's open-access mission. Demonstrated interest isn't tracked, making academic metrics the primary admission driver.
The campus offers a focused academic portfolio with 10 bachelor's degrees (notably strong in human sciences and protective services) and 4 associate degrees, plus 11 minors. Small class sizes enable what students describe as 'approachable faculty who go the extra mile,' particularly in STEM fields. A standout feature is undergraduate research integration—unusual for a regional campus—with opportunities like the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. The curriculum emphasizes workforce-aligned programs, with 66-78% program completion rates for recent cohorts, though institutional graduation rates lag behind.
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.
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Life here revolves around the intimacy of a 1,000-student campus where 'everyone knows your name.' Over 30 clubs and organizations anchor social life, from gaming groups to service organizations. The campus leans heavily on Penn State traditions (THON participation, football watch parties) while fostering local pride through events like the annual Schuylkill County Fair. Students describe the vibe as 'commuter-friendly but not commuter-dominated,' with housing options creating pockets of residential energy. The rural setting means campus becomes the social hub, with frequent late-night programming in the Ciletti Memorial Library.
The 26% six-year graduation rate (per College Scorecard) reveals systemic challenges, though program-specific completion rates run higher (67% five-year average for recent cohorts). Many students treat the campus as a stepping stone—either transitioning to University Park after two years or entering regional industries like healthcare and criminal justice. The $19,659 average annual cost aligns with national averages for public four-year colleges, but the low graduation rate impacts ROI calculations. Alumni networks remain tightly connected to eastern Pennsylvania's job markets.
At $15,208 in-state and $25,392 out-of-state tuition (2024 figures), costs run slightly below Penn State's main campus. Financial aid plays a crucial role—85% of students receive grant aid averaging $11,645, with campus-specific scholarships distributing nearly $1M annually. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator shows most Pennsylvania residents paying under $14k after aid. Notably, the aid packaging leans heavily on grants rather than loans, with 72% of aid coming from institutional or state sources.
Penn State Schuylkill delivers a paradox: Big Ten academic resources (including rare undergrad research ops for a regional campus) with community college-level accessibility. It shines for students seeking: 1) A low-stakes Penn State entry point with guaranteed transfer pathways, 2) Hands-on faculty attention in programs like criminal justice and nursing, and 3) An incubator environment where campus involvement opportunities abound. The graduation rate woes temper its value proposition, but for strategic students—especially those planning to leverage the 2+2 transfer system—it offers unique advantages.