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Penn State
  • 4 Year
  • UNIVERSITY PARK, PA
CollegeGrad School
Penn State
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • UNIVERSITY PARK, PA
  • 7,371 reviews
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    Penn State Campus Life

    Housing

    Dorms
    B
    Based on housing cost, capacity, student reviews and additional factors.
    On-Campus Housing Available
    Yes
    Freshmen Required to Live on Campus
    No
    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    Undergrads in College Housing
    35%
    Average Housing Cost
    $7,360 / year
    Poll
    52%
    of students say overall dorm quality is great. 351 responses
    Poll
    68%
    of students say the dorms' social atmosphere is great. 649 responses
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    Food

    Campus Food
    A minus
    Based on meal plan cost and student reviews on the food.
    Meal Plan Available
    Yes
    Average Meal Plan Cost
    $5,618 / year
    Poll
    What are the best food options on campus?
    Based on 1,007 responses
    • Pollock
      14%
    • HUB dining i.e. Starbucks/Chik fil A/Jamba Juice
      13%
    • HUB or Blue Spoon
      12%
    • Redifer
      12%
    • West
      12%
    • Cookies from West
      7%
    • Chick Fil a
      7%
    72%
    of students highly rate the dining facilities. 420 responses

    Campus Quality

    Campus
    A
    Based on quality of housing, food services, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Life
    A+
    Based on campus diversity, social scene, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Poll
    What is your overall opinion of your school and the campus community?
    Based on 351 responses
    • I love everything about my school and have a lot of campus pride.
      52%
    • I like mostly everything about my school, but there are some things I wish were different.
      43%
    • The school community is okay-we're all just here for an education, nothing more.
      3%
    • I hate my school and have no school spirit.
      1%

    Safety

    Safety
    B
    Based on crimes on campus, local area crime rates, and student reviews.
    Poll
    90%
    of students say they feel extremely safe and secure on campus. 409 responses
    Poll
    How does peer pressure affect students' use of drugs and alcohol?
    Based on 282 responses
    • You can have a great social life without drugs or alcohol.
      31%
    • Most people partake in some form, but no one treats you differently if you don't.
      46%
    • You'll definitely feel a little awkward if you don't drink.
      20%
    • If you don't partake, you're left out.
      3%
    Poll
    How visible are the campus police on campus?
    Based on 326 responses
    • Extremely present and willing to assist students.
      18%
    • There if you need them but not overbearing.
      61%
    • Just there to bust up parties or give out parking tickets.
      12%
    • Not very visible.
      7%
    • We have campus police?
      2%

    Sports

    Poll
    How popular are varsity sports on campus?
    Based on 652 responses
    • Almost everything on campus revolves around them.
      36%
    • Varsity sports are a big part of campus life.
      58%
    • Varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.
      6%
    • No one pays attention to varsity sports.
      0%
    Men's Varsity Sports
    All Track Combined, Baseball, Basketball, Diving, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, IceHockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field: Indoor, Track and Field: Outdoor, Track and Field: X-Country, Volleyball, Wrestling
    Women's Varsity Sports
    All Track Combined, Basketball, Diving, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, IceHockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field: Indoor, Track and Field: Outdoor, Track and Field: X-Country, Volleyball

    Clubs & Activities

    Clubs Offered
    Campus Ministries, Dance, Drama/Theater, Film Society, International Student Organizations, Literary Magazine, Model UN, Newspaper, Radio Station, Student Government, Television Station, Yearbook
    Music
    Choral Groups, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Musical Theater, Music Ensembles, Opera, Pep Band, Symphony Orchestra
    Poll
    What are your favorite campus events or traditions?
    Based on 502 responses
    • THON
      24%
    • Football Games
      23%
    • Sporting events
      15%
    • Homecoming Parade
      12%
    • Movin On
      6%
    • Hockey games
      5%
    • Guarding the Lion Shrine
      3%
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    Party Scene

    Party Scene
    A+
    Based on access to bars and student reviews on the party scene.
    Poll
    What is the party scene like on campus?
    Based on 439 responses
    • Tons of raging parties almost any night of the week.
      27%
    • Lots of options Wednesday-Saturday.
      53%
    • Some decent frat/house parties, weekends only.
      9%
    • Good parties are few and far between.
      4%
    • Parties? What parties?
      8%
    Poll
    What is the biggest social event of the year?
    Based on 265 responses
    • State Patty's
      30%
    • Anyday when we play football especially home games
      22%
    • Honestly, every party event is the biggest party.
      22%
    • Yet to be determined, I'm only a freshman.
      10%
    • Blue and White Weekend
      9%
    • Halloweekend
      5%
    • Homecoming
      0%

    Greek Life

    Men in Fraternities
    17%
    Women in Sororities
    20%
    49%
    of students say that Greek life is pretty big. 554 responses
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