Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

What Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College does

Penn State Behrend, officially Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, is a regional campus of The Pennsylvania State University located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1948 as a state-related, land-grant institution, it delivers undergraduate and graduate education across four academic schools — the Black School of Business, the School of Engineering, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the School of Science — supplemented by a Nursing program, Open Lab Learning, and graduate offerings. The college serves multiple student segments including first-year undergraduates, transfer and international students, graduate students, and adult learners.

The institution's core educational model is Open Lab Learning, an approach that integrates hands-on experimentation, undergraduate research, and faculty collaboration into the curriculum. Supporting facilities include Lilley Library, the James R. Meehl Innovation Commons, Knowledge Park, the Yahn Planetarium, the Burke Center, and the Smith Chapel. The 2025 Carnegie Classifications recognized Behrend as a 'Higher Earnings' college, underscoring graduate ROI.

Revenue is generated through five streams: tuition and fees, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania state appropriations, financial aid and scholarships (partially donor-funded), community and workforce programs (continuing education, Plastics Training Academy, professional development), and philanthropic donations. Behrend operates a traditional sales-led university admissions go-to-market, recruiting prospective students through college fairs, campus visits, high school outreach, and digital channels including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and the Behrend Blog. The college is wholly state-owned with no venture or private-equity ownership.

Name

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Legal name

The Pennsylvania State University

Website

https://psbehrend.psu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Penn State Behrend is a regional campus of The Pennsylvania State University in Erie, Pennsylvania, delivering undergraduate and graduate programs across four schools via its Open Lab Learning model, serving traditional students, adult learners, and regional workforce partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

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, along with mandatory fees for enrolled students. Public university pricing with in-state and out-of-state rates.
2. State Funding: Operational funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a land-grant institution component of Penn State University system.
3. Financial Aid and Scholarships: Distribution of grants, scholarships, and financial aid packages to students, partially funded through donor contributions.
4. Community and Workforce Programs: Revenue from continuing education, professional development, plastics training academy, and workforce development programs.
5. Donations and Giving: Philanthropic contributions from alumni, donors, and friends of the college supporting scholarships, facilities, and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Penn State Behrend is a public regional college of The Pennsylvania State University that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across four academic schools (Black School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and School of Science), along with a Nursing program. Its distinctive Open Lab Learning model integrates classroom instruction with hands-on research, lab work, and industry collaboration at its Erie, Pennsylvania campus.

Product overview

Penn State Behrend is a comprehensive regional college of Penn State University offering a multi-school platform of academic programs across four academic schools (Black School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and School of Science), supplemented by specialized programs (School of Nursing, Graduate Programs, Open Lab Learning, Adult Learner Programs). The institution supports its educational mission with research facilities (James R. Meehl Innovation Commons, Knowledge Park, Yahn Planetarium), student life infrastructure (housing, dining, athletics via PSBLions.com), community outreach (Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Plastics Training Academy, Youth Education Outreach), and career services. The college positions itself as offering real-world experience through its Open Lab Learning approach, where students analyze, experiment, create, and collaborate in specialized facilities. The institution's unique identity as Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, reflects its status as one of Penn State's 24 campus locations with its own college leadership and integrated academic ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open Lab Learning A distinctive hands-on learning approach where students analyze, experiment, create, and collaborate in specialized laboratories and maker spaces, gaining real-world experience in their fields of study.
• Graduate Programs Graduate-level educational programs offering master's degrees and advanced study opportunities across various disciplines for students seeking advanced credentials.
• School of Nursing A nursing program preparing students for careers in healthcare through clinical training and academic coursework.
• Research Opportunities Undergraduate and graduate research programs enabling students to collaborate with faculty on original research projects.
• Career Services Professional career counseling, job placement assistance, resume writing support, interview preparation, and connections to employers and internships.
• Adult Learner Programs Specialized programs and support services designed for adult learners, including evening courses, online options, and support for career-changing students.
• Plastics Training Academy Industry-specific training programs for the plastics manufacturing sector, supporting workforce development and professional education.
• Youth Education Outreach K-12 educational outreach programs including summer camps, enrichment activities, and partnerships with regional schools.
• Pennsylvania Sea Grant A federal-state partnership supporting research, education, and outreach related to Great Lakes environmental stewardship.
• Athletics (PSBLions.com) Intercollegiate athletics and intramural sports programs competing in NCAA Division III, including various men's and women's sports teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Behrend recognized as a 'Higher Earnings' college in new Carnegie Classifications
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bond-Rand TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI company founded by Penn State Behrend students Andrew Jack Bond and Cadence Rand, growing out of a collaborative research project at the college. Represents successful student entrepreneurship and technology commercialization from Behrend research.
• Pennsylvania Sea GrantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and outreach partnership supporting coastal and Great Lakes research, education, and extension programs. Located within Behrend's research infrastructure.
• Knowledge ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development initiative connecting the college with business development, startup incubation, and technology commercialization opportunities in the Erie region.
• James R. Meehl Innovation CommonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub on campus supporting student and faculty entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and startup development activities.
• Council of Fellows BoardcoreOthersAdvisory board of community and business leaders supporting the college's strategic direction, fundraising, and industry partnerships.
• PENN STATE (System-wide)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Penn State University system of 24 campuses, providing access to system-wide resources, research networks, academic programs, and brand recognition.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Penn State Altoona: Similar-sized Penn State Commonwealth campus with comparable academic portfolio including engineering, business, and sciences. Direct comparable as another regional Penn State campus competing for central/western Pennsylvania students.
• Penn State Harrisburg: Another Penn State Commonwealth campus offering bachelor's and graduate programs with comparable four-school structure and Open Lab-style experiential learning. Most direct structural comparable as another regional Penn State campus competing for similar Pennsylvania students.
• Penn State Berks: Penn State Commonwealth campus in southeastern Pennsylvania offering similar four-school academic portfolio. Direct peer sharing the same system branding, admissions processes, and tuition structure.
• Mercyhurst University: Private Catholic university also based in Erie, Pennsylvania, competing head-to-head with Behrend for in-region students. Comparable four-year college scale with overlapping undergraduate programs in business, sciences, and humanities.
• Edinboro University of Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) university located near Erie, competing with Behrend for northwestern Pennsylvania students. Comparable four-year public institution with similar undergraduate-focused academic portfolio.
• Penn State York: Penn State Commonwealth campus serving south-central Pennsylvania with similar two-year and four-year program offerings. Direct comparable with shared system branding and admissions infrastructure.
• Slippery Rock University: Pennsylvania State System (PASSHE) regional public university offering undergraduate-focused programs across business, education, sciences, and humanities. Comparable four-year PA public university competing for similar in-state student segments.
• Penn State Lehigh Valley: Penn State Commonwealth campus serving the Lehigh Valley region with similar academic structure and Open Lab-style experiential learning. Direct peer sharing system-wide branding, faculty, and curriculum resources.
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State System (PASSHE) public university offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable as another PA public regional university competing for similar Pennsylvania-resident students with overlapping program areas.
• Gannon University: Private Catholic university located in Erie, Pennsylvania, competing directly with Behrend for the same regional student pool. Comparable offering of undergraduate programs in business, engineering, sciences, and health fields, with similar four-year college scale.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/PennStateBehrend1
• Facebookfacebook.com/pennstatebehrend
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-erie-behrend-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/psbehrend
• TikToktiktok.com/@psbehrend

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College