Physical Sciences at Penn State University
In 2023, 323 of the 10,914 students who finished a bachelor's degree at Penn State University did so in physical sciences: 3% of the class and the 12th most common major on campus. Across all 2,440 reporting institutions the field accounts for 1.29% of bachelor's degrees; at Penn State University it is 2.3x that, far more concentrated. 30% of those graduates were women.
Is physical sciences competitive at Penn State University?
Colleges report one admission rate for the whole school; here is the bar you are actually measured against, and how the model treats this major.
Penn State University admitted 46,605 of 85,956 applicants for fall 2023 (55%), and the middle 50% of admitted students scored 1240 to 1420 on the SAT. Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for physical sciences at Penn State University. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "Physics / Chemistry" as more competitive than Penn State University's overall rate (multiplier 0.98 on the effective admit rate), so an applicant declaring this field is scored against a slightly higher bar.
How to apply to Penn State University for physical sciences
What readers look for from applicants who declare this field, at any selectivity.
- Chemistry and physics at the highest level, with calculus
- A lab or research experience, even a small one, described specifically
- Math depth matters as much as science grades here
- Run your odds with the major set: your estimate at Penn State University for physical sciences →
Where else to study physical sciences
Other colleges in Pennsylvania and at a similar selectivity that award bachelor's degrees in this field.
Every college ranked by physical sciences graduates: colleges that graduate the most physical sciences majors → · Physical Sciences colleges in Pennsylvania →
More majors at Penn State University
The other fields Penn State University graduates the most students in, 2023.
Questions about physical sciences at Penn State University
How many students major in physical sciences at Penn State University?
323 students earned a bachelor's degree in physical sciences at Penn State University in 2023, 3% of that year's 10,914 graduates (IPEDS completions, first majors).
Is physical sciences competitive at Penn State University?
Penn State University admitted 46,605 of 85,956 applicants for fall 2023 (55%), and the middle 50% of admitted students scored 1240 to 1420 on the SAT. Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for physical sciences at Penn State University. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "Physics / Chemistry" as more competitive than Penn State University's overall rate (multiplier 0.98 on the effective admit rate), so an applicant declaring this field is scored against a slightly higher bar.
What is the acceptance rate for physical sciences at Penn State University?
There is no official major-level acceptance rate; Penn State University reports one school-wide figure, 55%. Some programs (direct-admit nursing, engineering and business schools) select separately and can be more selective than the school overall. CollegeCalcAI's calculator applies its published per-major adjustment and shows your estimate for this school with the major set.
Is Penn State University known for physical sciences?
By output, physical sciences is the 12th most common field at Penn State University and far more concentrated there than at the average U.S. college (3% of graduates versus 1.29% nationally).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 Completions (bachelor's degrees, first majors, CIP 2-digit series). Admissions counts: IPEDS 2023. Built 2026-09-19. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are not predictions or guarantees.