Our Community

Penn State is located in one of the friendliest cities in the Northeast. State College is a modern community with a population of 70,000. The University and adjacent community are situated on a plateau, 1,200 feet above sea level, between forested ridges of the Appalachian chain. The campus (known as University Park Campus) and State College provide an exceptional combination of cultural offerings and research facilities. The area is noted throughout the East for its excellent outdoor recreational opportunities.

The cities of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., are within reasonable driving distance (three to four hours). Air, rail, and bus transportation are also available.

The University and State College offer cultural advantages ordinarily found only in large metropolitan centers. Penn State sponsors an excellent performing arts series, which presents distinguished musicians, nationally known symphony and chamber orchestras, ballet performances, plays, and movies. Various groups sponsor noted entertainers on campus; University orchestras, choirs, and other groups give regular performances; and many art exhibits are held throughout the year. The weeklong Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is held in State College each summer. The Bryce Jordan Center offers a full range of entertainment from rock concerts to special exhibitions.

Moviegoers can choose from films shown in several town or on-campus theatres. For live theatre, the University Resident Theatre Company is active during the academic year, while Pennsylvania Centre Stage features professional actors and directors during the summer. For two months each summer, the State College Community Theatre presents performances at a barn theatre in nearby Boalsburg. Numerous clubs sponsor activities for students and their spouses, and many courses and lectures on a wide variety of cultural topics are offered regularly.

Penn State is well known for its outstanding athletics program. Sports events ranging from soccer, football, wrestling, gymnastics, and basketball to lacrosse, field hockey, and fencing provide year-round entertainment. Most events are free to graduate students.

Opportunities for recreation and outdoor activities are plentiful. Sports facilities include many miles of scenic trails for jogging, biking, and cross-country skiing. Numerous indoor and outdoor tennis courts, as well as handball and squash courts, are available on campus. Several athletic and health clubs are located in State College.

For more information, visit www.statecollege.com