Penn State University

What Penn State University does

Penn State University (legally The Pennsylvania State University) is a public state-related research university founded in 1855 and headquartered at University Park, Pennsylvania. It serves more than 100,000 students across a flagship residential campus, 20 commonwealth campuses throughout Pennsylvania, and Penn State World Campus online. The institution offers 275+ academic majors spanning associate through doctoral degrees, including specialized programs at Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Law, and Penn State Dickinson Law. Vertically integrated operating subsidiaries include Penn State Health (patient care), Penn State Applied Research Laboratory, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners (economic development, jointly controlled).

The university's core technology and research enterprise generated a record $1.44 billion in research expenditures in FY 2024-25, spanning life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and computational sciences. Notable proprietary technologies include a half-millimeter photomemristor sensor that mimics human rod and cone cells to enable autonomous vehicle vision in mixed lighting (95% accuracy), superconducting diamond 'puddle' discoveries for quantum components, an AI-powered data center cooling optimizer (25% energy reduction), and a digital twin permafrost simulation framework for climate modeling. Provisional patents are filed for photomemristor and quantum transducer inventions, with the latter being commercially licensed to Delta Gold Technologies.

Penn State's business model operates across five revenue streams: tuition and fees from undergraduate and graduate students, state appropriations ($242.1M General Support in FY24-25 from Pennsylvania), federal and state research grants and contracts, private philanthropy, and athletics revenue from Big Ten conference distributions ($88.9M for 2024-25). In-state Pennsylvania students receive an average $16,000 annual tuition discount, effectively pricing the offering to capture broad regional demand while leveraging scale across 20+ physical campuses plus online delivery. The go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer undergraduate admissions, a community-led alumni network of 800,000+, and an athletics-driven brand strategy that has secured top-5 nationally ranked football recruiting classes.

Name

Penn State University

Legal name

The Pennsylvania State University

Website

https://psu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1855

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Penn State University is a public research university serving 100,000+ students across 20 Pennsylvania campuses and World Campus online, operating a $1.44 billion research enterprise and Big Ten athletics program with 275+ academic majors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Land-Grant Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAB), Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Public research university
• Online degree programs
• Academic research services
• Continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

University Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition across main campus and commonwealth campuses, with state funding providing average in-state tuition discount of approximately $16,000 to over 40,000 Pennsylvania students
2. State Appropriations: General Support appropriation of $242.1 million from Pennsylvania state government
3. Research Grants and Contracts: Federal and state research funding from agencies including NSF, NIH, DOE; Penn State set record with $1.44 billion in research expenditures for FY 24-25
4. Private Philanthropy: Donations from alumni, corporations, and foundations including $1.5M anonymous gift to Smeal College of Business for finance education
5. Athletics Revenue: Big Ten conference revenue sharing including $88.9 million payout for 2024-25 fiscal year from new TV deals

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Penn State University delivers higher education services through degree programs in 275+ majors at the University Park flagship, 20+ Pennsylvania Commonwealth Campuses, Penn State World Campus online, and professional schools (College of Medicine, Dickinson Law). It also operates a $1.44 billion research enterprise funded by federal and state grants, alongside Penn State Health clinical services and Big Ten athletics. The university awards credentials ranging from associate to doctoral degrees and supports workforce development through industry partnerships.

Product overview

Penn State University is a public research institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational services. The core offerings include academic degree programs across 275+ majors delivered through University Park and 20+ Commonwealth Campuses, plus Penn State World Campus for online learning. The university operates a major research enterprise ($1.44B annual expenditures) and provides technology services including the Penn State Go mobile app (accessing LionPATH, Canvas, Email, Maps, id+ Card, and other campus systems). The institution's product portfolio centers on education delivery, research collaboration, and campus technology services rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Penn State Health: University health system providing patient care through hospitals and clinics
• Penn State World Campus
• Nittany Lions

Products and services

• Penn State Academic Degree Programs Degree-granting programs across 275+ majors delivered at the University Park flagship, 20+ Commonwealth Campuses, and professional schools including Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Dickinson Law. Awards credentials ranging from associate to doctoral degrees.
• Penn State World Campus (Online Degrees) Online and distance education division offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and continuing education programs to working professionals and non-traditional students globally.
• Penn State Health Clinical Services Academic health system providing patient care through hospitals and clinics, anchored by Penn State College of Medicine. Allied health program ranked No. 1 nationally in NIH funding.
• Penn State Research Enterprise Interdisciplinary research program with $1.44 billion in annual research expenditures, offering sponsored research, technology development, and licensing to federal agencies and industry partners. Covers topics from 3D bioprinting to sustainable housing.
• Penn State Go Mobile Application Official Penn State mobile app providing students, faculty, and staff with single sign-in access to campus systems including LionPATH, Canvas LMS, email, campus maps, id+ Card, safety, dining, wellness, library, and athletics services.
• Penn State Athletics (Nittany Lions) Big Ten Conference athletics program (Nittany Lions) generating revenue through conference distributions, ticket sales, sponsorships, and media rights, including $88.9 million Big Ten payout for FY 2024-25.

Quantifiable outcome

• $33.5 billion in estimated combined annual economic impact generated by Pennsylvania's three largest public universities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Joint symposium to strengthen collaboration in doctoral training and research under memorandum of understanding to develop transformative technologies and create sandwich Ph.D. programs with African universities. Partnership aims to strengthen science, technology and innovation capabilities across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Toyota Research Institute (TRI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Three-year award to Penn State professor Chao-Yang Wang to research redesigning liquid electrolytes to prevent lithium-ion batteries from catching fire during thermal runaway. Part of TRI's University Research Program 3.0 supporting 69 projects across 31 universities in AI, robotics, driving, and material science.
• Midwest Microelectronics ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026Penn State received $4.3 million through the consortium for new advanced semiconductor research facility featuring Aixtron's deposition system, advancing wide-bandgap semiconductor research capabilities.
• AGC Chemicals AmericasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Research partnership through Pennsylvania's Manufacturing PA Innovation Program focused on characterizing advanced silica materials for consumer and industrial applications. Integrates undergraduate students into hands-on research with industry scientists.
• Avery DennisonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Research partnership through Pennsylvania's Manufacturing PA Innovation Program aimed at improving specialized adhesives used in high-speed RFID manufacturing. Provides undergraduate students hands-on research experience alongside industry scientists.
• Georgia Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026Collaborative research on ferroelectric NAND flash memory technology that can withstand radiation levels 30 times higher than conventional NAND flash (up to 1 million rads). Penn State contributed radiation testing capabilities for space-grade memory applications.
• Westinghouse Electric CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Five-year memorandum of understanding to advance nuclear research and workforce education supporting sustainable reactor development. Establishes annual fellowships for graduate and technical students, funding for 40 paid summer internships, and exploration of research test reactor facility at University Park called HORIZON. Builds on 2022 collaboration focused on Westinghouse's eVinci microreactor technology.
• Delta Gold TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Academic-industry collaboration model where Delta Gold invests approximately C$3 million over three years for exclusive licensing rights to quantum transducer innovations developed through Penn State sponsored research. Company filed provisional patent for resulting intellectual property.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Indiana University: Indiana University is a Big Ten public research university operating a multi-campus system across Indiana with strong athletics (similar Big Ten revenue model). Comparable in scale, governance, and state-funding structure.
• Michigan State University: Michigan State is a fellow Big Ten land-grant research university with significant research expenditures, large undergraduate enrollment, and an athletics-driven brand — directly comparable to Penn State in mission and scale.
• University of Michigan: Michigan is a top-ranked Big Ten public research university with a similarly large research enterprise, multi-campus footprint (Ann Arbor plus Dearborn and Flint), and comparable athletics brand. Directly competes for students, faculty, and rankings.
• Purdue University: Purdue is a Big Ten land-grant public research university with strong STEM and engineering programs and a comparable multi-campus structure (West Lafayette plus regional campuses). Closely comparable in mission, scale, and funding model.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison: Wisconsin is a Big Ten public research university consistently ranked ahead of Penn State in global rankings, with comparable research intensity and a flagship-campus identity. Competes directly for talent and federal research dollars.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Illinois is a Big Ten public R1 university with a globally ranked engineering and computer science program, large research enterprise, and similar state-funded operating model. Direct peer in research scale and ranking positioning.
• University of Maryland: Maryland is a recent Big Ten addition and a flagship public research university with large research expenditures and a comparable state-funded model. Direct peer in research scale and conference athletics positioning.
• Ohio State University: Ohio State is the flagship public research university within the Big Ten and operates a multi-campus system across Ohio, making it the most direct peer to Penn State in scale, athletics, and academic portfolio.
• Rutgers University: Rutgers is a Big Ten public research university with a multi-campus structure (New Brunswick, Newark, Camden) and a state-related funding model similar to Penn State's state-related status. Comparable in governance and distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Texas A&M University: Texas A&M is a fellow land-grant public research university with one of the largest student bodies in the U.S. and a multi-campus system (College Station plus branch campuses). Comparable in land-grant mission and scale, though operating in a different conference (SEC) and state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/penn_state
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pennstate
• Facebookfacebook.com/146381745267
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/penn-state-university-19318
• Instagraminstagram.com/pennstate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Penn State University