The Most Popular Penn State Campus, Ranked

Choose the campus you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:45
In the heart of a passionate academic community, knowing which campus resonates most with students and alumni can stir lively debates and foster a sense of pride. Whether it's for future students trying to decide their path, or alum reminiscing about their college days, a dynamic ranking of the most popular Penn State campus can serve as a fun and informative resource. Every vote contributes to the shaping of this list, reflecting current preferences and trends across the University's network. As more people participate, the rankings evolve, giving an up-to-date glimpse into which campuses are capturing the hearts of the community. This interactive list isn't just numbers and names; it's a snapshot of ongoing campus admiration and rivalry.

What Is the Most Popular Penn State Campus?

  1. 1
    84
    votes
    University Park
    Penn State iGEM 2008 · Public domain

    University Park

    Pennsylvania State University
    This is the largest and most well-known campus of Penn State. It is home to the main academic and administrative offices, as well as numerous research centers and institutes. The campus features beautiful architecture, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant student community.
    University Park is the main campus of Penn State located in State College, Pennsylvania. It serves as the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University system and is one of the most popular Penn State campuses.
    • Location: State College, Pennsylvania
    • Flagship Campus: Yes
    • Campus Size: 5,448 acres
    • Academic Programs: Over 160 undergraduate programs
    • Student Enrollment: Over 40,000 students
  2. 2
    34
    votes
    Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Behrend is known for its strong engineering programs and beautiful lakefront setting. The campus boasts modern facilities, cutting-edge research labs, and numerous student organizations.
    Penn State Behrend, officially known as the Pennsylvania State University, Erie, The Behrend College, is a public college and a residential campus of Pennsylvania State University. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1948 as a co-educational institution. With a focus on applied learning and research, Behrend offers over 40 undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. The campus is known for its strong engineering, business, and computer science programs.
    • Year Established: 1948
    • Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
    • Type: Public College
    • Academic Programs: Over 40 undergraduate and graduate programs
    • Focus: Applied learning and research
  3. 3
    16
    votes
    Located in Middletown, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg is known for its strong business, public affairs, and engineering programs. The campus features modern facilities, a diverse student population, and a range of extracurricular activities.
    Harrisburg is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States. It is located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River and is the county seat of Dauphin County. Known for its rich history, charming architecture, and vibrant culture, Harrisburg has become a popular destination for tourists and residents alike.
    • Population: Approximately 49,000
    • Area: 11.4 square miles
    • Founded: March 19, 1785
    • State Capital: Capital of Pennsylvania
    • Government: Mayor-Council
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    Located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Altoona is known for its strong business, engineering, and nursing programs. The campus features modern facilities, a beautiful campus, and a range of student organizations.
    Altoona is a campus of Pennsylvania State University located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It offers a wide range of undergraduate programs and is known for its strong academic reputation and vibrant campus life.
    • Location: Altoona, Pennsylvania
    • Undergraduate Programs: Wide range of programs
    • Academic Reputation: Strong
    • Campus Life: Vibrant
    • Student Organizations: Numerous and diverse
  5. 5
    29
    votes
    Located in Reading, Pennsylvania, Berks is known for its strong business, engineering, and education programs. The campus features modern facilities, a diverse student population, and a range of extracurricular activities.
    Penn State Berks is one of the commonwealth campuses of Pennsylvania State University. It is located in Reading, Pennsylvania, United States. With its picturesque campus spread across 258 acres of land, Penn State Berks offers a vibrant and supportive community for its students, faculty, and staff. The campus provides a comprehensive selection of academic programs, experiential learning opportunities, and a wide range of student organizations and activities. Penn State Berks is known for its commitment to personalized education, small class sizes, and close faculty-student interactions.
    • Faculty-Student Interactions: Close
    • Campus Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
    • Campus Size: 258 acres
    • Academic Programs: Comprehensive selection
    • Experiential Learning Opportunities: Available
  6. 6
    7
    votes
    Located in Abington, Pennsylvania, Abington is known for its strong liberal arts, business, and science programs. The campus features modern facilities, a beautiful campus, and a range of student organizations.
    Penn State Abington is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University. It is located in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The campus offers a small and close-knit community with a beautiful suburban setting, just outside of Philadelphia. It provides a comprehensive range of academic programs and student services, contributing to a well-rounded college experience for its students.
    • Location: Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
    • Campus Size: Approximately 45 acres
    • Year Established: 1950
    • Undergraduate Programs: Over 20 disciplines including Business, Engineering, Communications, and Psychology
    • Student Enrollment: Around 4,000 undergraduate students
  7. 7
    6
    votes
    Located in Media, Pennsylvania, Brandywine is known for its strong business, engineering, and education programs. The campus features modern facilities, a beautiful campus, and a range of student organizations.
    Brandywine is a large and exceptionally flavorful tomato variety that is highly regarded for its taste. It is often considered one of the best-tasting heirloom tomato varieties available. The Brandywine tomato has a classic beefsteak shape, with deep pink or red skin and a meaty flesh. It offers a rich, sweet and tangy flavor with a perfect balance of acidity. The texture of Brandywine is smooth and succulent, making it a favorite among tomato enthusiasts.
    • Size: Large
    • Color: Deep pink or red
    • Shape: Beefsteak
    • Flavor: Rich, sweet, tangy
    • Texture: Smooth, succulent
  8. 8
    6
    votes

    Lehigh Valley

    Penn State University
    Located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley is known for its strong business, engineering, and education programs. The campus features modern facilities, a beautiful campus, and a range of student organizations.
    Lehigh Valley is one of the Penn State campuses located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. It serves as a regional center for higher education and provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
    • Location: Center Valley, Pennsylvania
    • Undergraduate Programs: Offered
    • Graduate Programs: Offered
    • Student Enrollment: Approximately 1,000 students
    • Academic Facilities: Modern classrooms, laboratories, and library resources
  9. 9
    1
    votes

    Greater Allegheny

    Pennsylvania State University
    Located in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Greater Allegheny is known for its strong business, engineering, and education programs. The campus features modern facilities, a beautiful campus, and a range of student organizations.
    Greater Allegheny is one of the common names for the Penn State Greater Allegheny campus, also known as Penn State McKeesport. It is a campus of the Pennsylvania State University located in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The campus offers a diverse range of academic programs and is known for its strong sense of community and small class sizes.
    • Location: McKeesport, Pennsylvania
    • Campus Type: Suburban
    • Established: 1957
    • Academic Programs: Various undergraduate programs
    • Campus Size: Approximately 47 acres
  10. 10
    0
    votes
    Mont Alto
    Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Located in Mont Alto, Pennsylvania, Mont Alto is known for its strong business, engineering, and education programs. The campus features modern facilities, a beautiful campus, and a range of student organizations.
    Mont Alto is one of the satellite campuses of Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), located in Mont Alto, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1903 as The Pennsylvania State Forest Academy, and it became part of Penn State in 1939. Mont Alto is known for its picturesque and historic campus, offering a variety of academic programs and serving as a launching pad for students to pursue higher education at other Penn State campuses.
    • Location: Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
    • Year Established: 1903
    • Became Part of Penn State: 1939
    • Campus Type: Satellite Campus
    • Academic Programs: Various

Missing your favorite campus?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular campus

  1. Enrollment numbers
    Check the number of students enrolled at each campus to get an idea of its popularity. Campuses with higher student populations are considered more popular than those with fewer students.
  2. Academic programs
    Consider the variety and quality of academic programs offered at each campus. Popular campuses typically have a wider range of programs and more highly ranked departments.
  3. Campus facilities
    Evaluate the quality of facilities, such as libraries, recreational centers, research labs, and other campus resources. A popular campus should have well-maintained and up-to-date facilities.
  4. Location
    Assess the attractiveness of the campus location, including the surrounding area, the weather, and the local community. Many students might be drawn to campuses located in larger cities or those with favorable climates and recreational opportunities nearby.
  5. Extracurricular activities
    Look for the range of clubs, sports teams, and organizations available at each campus. A popular campus typically offers a variety of extracurricular activities for students to get involved in.
  6. Reputation
    Research the overall reputation of the school and its campuses. This can include national rankings, notable alumni, and well-known faculty members.
  7. Cost of attendance
    Compare the tuition fees and other costs of attending each campus. More popular campuses may be more expensive, but they may also offer more financial aid opportunities.
  8. Job prospects
    Investigate the job placement rates and average graduate salaries for each campus. A higher job placement rate often indicates that a campus prepares its students well for the job market and makes it more attractive to prospective students.
  9. Diversity
    Examine the diversity of the student body, including factors like race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic backgrounds. A diverse campus can create a more enriching educational experience for students.
  10. Student satisfaction
    Look for reviews and ratings from current and former students, or reports on student satisfaction surveys. A popular campus should receive mostly positive feedback from its students.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Penn State campus. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or campus is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 6795 views
  • 192 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each campus once every 24 hours. The rank of each campus is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular penn state campus

Pennsylvania State University (commonly known as Penn State) is a public research university with multiple campuses across Pennsylvania. As of 2021, there are 24 campuses in total, each with its own unique culture, programs, and facilities. With such a diverse range of options, it's no wonder that prospective students and alumni alike are interested in finding out which campus is the most popular. Whether it's the bustling urban atmosphere of University Park or the scenic beauty of Behrend, each campus has something special to offer. At StrawPoll, we've collected data from thousands of respondents to determine which Penn State campus is the most beloved. Read on to find out the results!

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