Organizer Information
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is a public research university in Pennsylvania, United States. Its College of Arts and Architecture offers undergraduate and graduate programs in visual arts, art history, architecture, graphic design, photography, performing arts, and related disciplines. Other academic units offer programs in film production, digital media, and interdisciplinary creative practice. Admissions requirements, tuition, portfolio requirements, and deadlines depend on the program, degree level, campus, and applicant category.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: The Pennsylvania State University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, B.Des., B.Arch., B.L.A., BS, MA, MFA, MS, M.Arch., PhD, and other program-specific degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Film, Photography, Graphic Design, Digital Arts, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Music, Theatre, Art Education, and Media
- Relevant Programs: Art, BA; Art, BFA; Art History, BA; Art, MFA; Graphic Design, B.Des.; Digital Arts and Media Design, B.Des.; Professional Photography, B.Des.; Film Production, BA; Art History, MA and PhD; Art Education, MS and PhD
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications generally open August 1 for fall and summer entry and June 1 for spring entry. Graduate application periods vary by program.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate early action: 1 November; recommended undergraduate submission: 1 December. Art MFA: 15 January annually.
- Start of Studies: Fall, spring, or summer, depending on program
- Application Fee: Undergraduate: $65 domestic; $75 international
- Tuition: Varies by campus, degree level, program, residency, and credit load.
- Funding: Scholarships, grants, and other financial aid are available to eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Penn State offers programs across visual arts, design, architecture, film, and related creative disciplines. Relevant undergraduate options include Art, Art History, Graphic Design, Digital Arts and Media Design, Digital Multimedia Design, Professional Photography, and Film Production.
- Graduate-level options include the MFA in Art, MA and PhD programs in Art History, and MS and PhD programs in Art Education. The MFA in Art supports concentrations in ceramics, drawing and painting, graphic design, new media, photography, and sculpture.
- Applicants should review the requirements of their intended program. Portfolio-based admission requirements apply to specified programs and admission pathways rather than automatically to every arts degree.
General Eligibility
- Penn State accepts domestic and international applicants. Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the university's admission criteria and any additional requirements for their intended program or campus.
- Graduate applicants must meet the Fox Graduate School's general admission policies and the requirements of their chosen graduate program. International applicants must also satisfy applicable academic credential, English proficiency, and immigration-related requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants must submit the academic records required for their applicant category, such as first-year or transfer admission.
- For the MFA in Art, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution accredited by an accepted agency or an equivalent degree from an officially recognized international institution. The School of Visual Arts requires a minimum junior/senior undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, although exceptions may be considered at the program's discretion. The school strongly recommends at least 12 undergraduate credits in art history.
- Other graduate programs may impose different academic prerequisites. Applicants should consult their specific program's admissions criteria.
Language Requirements
- English is Penn State's language of instruction.
- For international applicants to graduate programs, the Fox Graduate School establishes these minimum English proficiency requirements, subject to exemptions and potentially higher program-specific standards:
- TOEFL iBT: Overall score of at least 4.5, including at least 3.5 in speaking, for tests taken under the revised scoring system introduced on 21 January 2026.
- TOEFL iBT (tests taken before 21 January 2026): Overall score of at least 80, including at least 19 in speaking.
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall band score of 6.5.
- Certain applicants qualify for exemptions based on the country in which they earned their degree or completion of Penn State's Intensive English Communication Program. Provisional admission may be considered for applicants meeting specified lower scores. Individual graduate programs may impose stricter requirements.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate domestic | $65 | Nonrefundable |
| Undergraduate international | $75 | Nonrefundable |
| Graduate | Check the applicable graduate application instructions | Program and applicant conditions should be verified |
Penn State permits eligible undergraduate applicants to request an application fee waiver. An approved waiver allows the applicant to bypass the payment screen.
Tuition
| Study level | Applicant category | Annual tuition, 2026–2027 | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, first-year/lower division | Pennsylvania resident | $20,878 | Per academic year |
| Undergraduate, first-year/lower division | Non-Pennsylvania resident, including international students | $44,574 | Per academic year |
| Undergraduate, upper division, all other programs | Pennsylvania resident | $22,520 | Per academic year |
| Undergraduate, upper division, all other programs | Non-Pennsylvania resident, including international students | $46,812 | Per academic year |
| Graduate, all other programs | Pennsylvania resident | $26,486 | Per academic year |
| Graduate, all other programs | Non-Pennsylvania resident, including international students | $48,668 | Per academic year |
- These figures are the published University Park rates for the relevant general program categories. Specialized programs may have different rates, and other campuses have different schedules. Undergraduate tuition also depends on credit load.
- Other mandatory costs: Penn State charges a mandatory Student Initiated Fee. The amount depends on campus and enrolled credits. Additional expenses may include health insurance, accommodation, books, supplies, and travel; these should be distinguished from tuition and assessed according to the student's circumstances.
Funding & Financial Support
Penn State offers scholarships and other financial aid, subject to individual award conditions.
- Undergraduate scholarships: Awards may be based on merit, financial need, or a combination of criteria. Eligibility and award amounts vary.
- International undergraduate students: The university identifies the Special International Grant-in-Aid (SIGIA) and Penn State Tuition Assistance Grant (PSTAG) as limited tuition-grant opportunities for currently enrolled international students.
- Graduate students: Funding opportunities may be available through academic programs and other university sources. Applicants should check their intended program's funding policies.
International students are not eligible for U.S. federally funded student aid reserved for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens. Scholarships and grants are competitive or subject to eligibility criteria; admission does not guarantee funding.
University Services & Academic Support
- Penn State Global provides international student support, including guidance related to immigration processes and student orientation. Academic support and creative resources vary by college and program.
- The College of Arts and Architecture provides discipline-specific educational opportunities through its academic programs and outreach units, including the Palmer Museum of Art and the Center for the Performing Arts. Graduate students should confirm access to particular studios, facilities, research resources, and exhibition opportunities with their intended department.
Application Requirements
- Requirements depend on the intended degree and applicant category.
- For undergraduate admission, applicants should consult the official admissions instructions for academic records and other required materials. International applicants must review the university's international credential requirements.
- For the MFA in Art, applicants must submit:
- A digital portfolio containing at least 20 examples of their work, primarily in their intended area of concentration.
- A statement of professional aims explaining their proposed study, artistic and educational philosophy, and goals.
- Three letters of reference addressing their academic ability and capacity for independent work.
- The program strongly recommends at least 12 undergraduate credits in art history and requires a minimum 3.00 junior/senior GPA, subject to the program's discretion regarding exceptions.
- The MFA in Graphic Design has its own portfolio instructions, including 18–20 examples of original artwork and a statement of professional aims. Applicants must follow the requirements of their specific program rather than assume that one portfolio format applies across the university.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Application Opens — Fall and Summer: 1 August 2026
- Undergraduate Application Opens — Spring: 1 June 2026
- Undergraduate Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action Admission Decision: By 24 December 2026
- Recommended Undergraduate Application Submission: 1 December 2026
- Visual Arts Portfolio and Application Deadline — Spring Term: 1 November annually
- Visual Arts Portfolio and Application Deadline — Summer/Fall Term: 15 February annually
- MFA in Art Application Deadline: 15 January annually
- International Tuition Grant Application Deadline — Fall Semester: 15 June annually
- International Tuition Grant Application Deadline — Spring Semester: 15 October annually
Location
The Pennsylvania State University — University Park, Pennsylvania, United States.
Additional Details
- Program-specific admission: Certain visual arts programs require portfolio review. Applicants should verify whether their intended degree requires a portfolio and whether a separate submission is necessary.
- International financial documentation: International undergraduate students must certify that they have sufficient financial resources to cover expenses for their first calendar year, excluding travel expenses, after accepting an offer of admission. They must also indicate their ability to meet subsequent-year expenses.
- Campus availability: Penn State's 2026–2027 undergraduate bulletin states that seven Commonwealth Campuses are scheduled to close after spring 2027 and that new students are not being admitted at those campuses. Applicants should verify the availability of their intended program and campus before applying.
- Tuition verification: The published rates above are general reference figures. The official tuition calculator and campus-specific schedules should be used to confirm the cost for a particular program, residency category, and credit load.
- Graduate admissions: The MFA in Art and MFA in Graphic Design have distinct portfolio specifications. Applicants should use the program-specific instructions alongside the university's graduate admissions requirements.