Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
Pennsylvania State University, University Park reports a middle 50% SAT of 1280 to 1410 (enrolled, fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 University Park). We use 1340 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1280 to 1410 (enrolled, fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 University Park) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 27 to 29 |
| Acceptance rate | 55.3% (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 University Park, 106,547 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test optional |
| Type | Public university |
Source: Penn State official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
Penn State admitted 46,605 of 85,957 University Park applicants for fall 2023; only 33% of enrolled students submitted an SAT score.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | 1510 to 1560 | 11.7% |
| Swarthmore College | 1500 to 1550 | 7.5% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1440 to 1550 | Not reported |
| Villanova University | 1410 to 1490 | 27.0% |
| Lehigh University | 1380 to 1490 | 25.9% |
| University of Pittsburgh (Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences) | 1280 to 1440 | 58.1% |
| Pennsylvania State University, University Park | 1280 to 1410 | 55.3% |
| Bucknell University | 1170 to 1380 | 28.9% |
| Temple University | 1130 to 1358 | 80.4% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Pennsylvania Colleges.
Lehigh University National Merit Scholarship: $1,000 or $2,000 per year to National Merit Finalists who name Lehigh their first-choice school; no separate application.
Pitt Rees-Chancellor's Scholars Program: Full tuition plus average room and board for up to 64 students per cohort through the Frederick Honors College, funded by a $30 million gift; first cohort enrolls fall 2027.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Pennsylvania SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Creighton University | Nebraska | 1280 to 1410 |
| Denison University | Ohio | 1270 to 1420 |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | New Jersey | 1235 to 1460 |
| Bennington College | Vermont | 1308 to 1375 |
A score that is competitive at Penn State lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1280 to 1410. A score at or above 1410 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1280 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. Penn State lists its policy as: Test optional. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
55.3% (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 University Park, 106,547 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for Penn State? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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