The Pennsylvania State University was established in 1855 and currently has 24 campuses across the state of Pennsylvania. The University has approx 17,000 faculty members, around 100,000 students, a hospital that serves as a learning ground and also caters to more than a million patients on an annual basis and an online World Campus that enables any student to pursue the course of their choice from anywhere across the globe using an Internet connection.

The University also has one of the largest student led philanthropic initiative in the world. Students are encourages to develop skills that will help add value to others and emerge to be global leaders. Research forms one of the key elements of the education imparted at its colleges and the research conducted across its colleges in various disciplines is used via projects for economic growth and community development initiatives. In fact it is this aspect which makes it one of the leading research led institutions globally.

In addition to comprehensive programs and subjects taught at the different colleges, the university works at supporting students in other ways too. There is a strong counseling service with emergency assistance, diversity and inclusion services as well as safety services.

Students can leave a life free of any tensions or worries and focus on developing their knowledge and skills. The strong alumni network spread across the world proves to be a huge asset to students who may want to network for suitable opportunities or gain learning or advice. The University’s various colleges enjoy high rankings from eminent third parties; some are as follows:

-Penn State has been named as one of the top universities in the world, ranking 49th, up 12 positions from 2012-13 and considered in the top 1 percent of higher education institutions worldwide. (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013-14)

-Penn State is ranked at No. 50 for 2013 in the Center for World University Rankings, up from No. 64 in 2012. The list includes national and international schools.

-Penn State ranks 10th in the U.S., and No. 1 in Pennsylvania for the second year in a row, with a record number of international students. (Institute of International Education “Open Doors”)

International students

The Penn state University network attracts multiple students from across the globe. There is a separate advising committee to help them with the admission and other settling in process. Financial aid is available to international students as follows:

1-International students having a cosigner who is a permanent resident or a credit-worthy U.S. citizen have access to loans through private US lending institutions.

2-The Paras Education Foundation (TPEF) provides low-interest loans to students worldwide. All loans are payable within 20 year terms and international students have the options of applying for the full amount of tuition fees.

3- The Global Student Loan Corporation (GSLC) and HSBC offer international students from India loans without a U.S. cosigner.

Some of the key courses offered across campuses are as follows:

Abington

Penn State Abington offers a wide choice of academic courses for a diverse group of learners. There are multiple foundation courses, c upper-level courses in a wide range of majors, one-on-one interactions with faculty and other activities and engagements that help students develop critical skills to grow. The campus offers 16 baccalaureate majors spread over 4 years. Two, two year associate degree programs are also offered. There are 14 minors and 2+2 majors available too. It also has continuing education for professionals and certificate courses too. International students are welcome to join the courses.

University Park

Located in the State College area in central Pennsylvania, this campus is the administrative hub of the Penn University and the largest of all. This campus is home to students from across 50 states and from across more than 100 nations and boasts of annual student population of almost over 40,000. The various colleges located in this vast area comprise of the Undergraduate colleges, Graduate, Schreyer Honors College, Penn State Dickinson School of Law and the main library. There is a versatile entertainment center called the Bryce Jordan center and the Beaver stadium located on the campus. Almost all the major courses are offered here.

Penn State Hershey

This campus offers various kinds of health care and programs in medicine across various levels. The campus has the prestigious Milton S Hershey Medical Center and the research conducted here is world class across various disciplines of medicine. The College of Medicine offers graduate, MD, Post Doctoral programs, residencies and fellowships. Penn State’s Hershey Children’s Hospital is considered to be one of the finest and has received many accolades and recognitions for its stellar work in the area of childcare and medicine. Research forms an integral part of this campus.

Penn York Campus

This campus provides students with 8 baccalaureate degrees, 7 baccalaureate minors, 7 two-year associate degrees, and one master’s degree. This campus also offers the first two years of more than 160 baccalaureate degree majors of the University. This campus does host international students and provides both academic support and services. Some of the scholarships offered by Penn York include the James H. Burness Memorial for chemistry and science streams, the George A. Goodling aid for students of agriculture, M.S. Grumbacher Foundation Scholarship in Business and some more.

There are many other campuses offering multiple programs for students desirous of becoming world-class professionals across multiple disciplines.