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Penn State - Diversity - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.08

Diversity

B-
Where does this grade come from?View all Diversity rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Diversity Grades:

Quick Stats

African American 4%
Asian American 6%
Hispanic 4%
International 4%
Native American 0%
White 78%
Unknown 5%
Historically Black College/University? No
Tribal College? No
Out-of-State Students 34%
Common States of Residence
  • Foreign Countries
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Virginia
Student Age Breakdown Under 18: 1%
18-19: 29%
20-21: 45%
22-24: 15%
25+: 10%
Female Faculty 36%
Male Faculty 64%
Faculty Diversity African American: 3%
Asian American: 8%
Hispanic: 2%
International: 8%
Native American: 0%
White: 78%
Unknown: 0%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

There is no hiding the fact that white, middle-class students make up a large portion of the student body at Penn State. A large number of students come from suburban Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. Many classes, especially in the sociology department, are aimed at opening the dialogue between races. These classes have been very instrumental in creating an open and peaceful atmosphere on campus. Racially-motivated crime at Penn State has not been an issue for years.

It’s important to keep in mind that State College is surrounded by rural areas with an even less diverse population. The climate is by no means adverse to minorities, but it may not be as accommodating as larger cities and more diverse college towns. The political leaning of central Pennsylvania is generally conservative. While different cultural and personal backgrounds are accepted around campus, this may not be the case when you’re away from the University’s grounds. More liberal residents agree that the best way of dealing with the close-mindedness of the area is through education and tolerance. Recent statistics have indicated that minority populations are increasing at Penn State, but they have a long way to go before the campus could be considered a modern day “melting pot.”

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Penn State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Diversity at Penn State

Aphrodite

'15

English

3.5
B

Fairly Diverse

On a campus this big, with 40 000 students, there are lots of people from all over the place and everyone can find their niche. There are clubs for just about anything you can imagine, and some things you'd never think of. There are a lot of locals who go to Penn State, and a very large percentage of the student body is from within Pennsylvania; however, there are also tons of people from all over the world, and people here are very easy going and accepting of everyone. It's very easy to make friends wherever you go, and the entire school has a community feel to it, despite the large student body.

Jan 26, 2012

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Diversity at Penn State

oao5035

'14

Biological Sciences

4.6
A

College Diversity

in a whole i would say pennstate up(main campus) is very accepting of a variety of differences in students basically because its a huge school and it consists of students of almost all walks of life

Jan 09, 2012

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Diversity at Penn State

ssangel323

'14

Accounting

4.2
A-

Diversity on Campus

There are many clubs and student activities on campus. Each club has its own personality. You can join a club depending on your major, background, or even political beliefs. Either way there is a club available to be part of.

Dec 07, 2011

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Page 1 of 18

Photos of Penn State's Diversity

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Penn State - Free Hugs!Free Hugs!
Photo by qtpiektw
Free Hugs! As an assignment for a sociology class, this student had to give out "Free Hugs" to fellow students. One of the other students giving out "Free Hugs" (not pictured) received a hug from Penn Stater Bronne Bruzgo of MTV's "The Real World"!
Link to this photo
Photo by qtpiektw
Penn State - Free Hugs!Free Hugs!
Photo by qtpiektw
Free Hugs! Every day when you leave your room and wander around campus, you are guaranteed to see students from a class or organization involving themselves in different activities. Students from a sociology class had to give "Free Hugs" out to random students for an assignment.
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Photo by qtpiektw
Penn State - THONTHON
Photo by qtpiektw
THON THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and it all started here! Since its start in 1977, THON has raised over $61 million for the Four Diamonds Fund. Student organizations raise money year-round for pediatric cancer. The hard work culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon when the total is revealed. THON 2010 raised $7,838,054.36. (Photo taken by Molly Gindin)
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Photo by qtpiektw

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

How diverse is the student body in the following areas?

How diverse is your personal circle of friends in the following areas?

How accepting is the campus community as a whole toward someone who falls into the minority (ethnic, sexual, or religious)?

How would you best describe your personal political beliefs?

How would you best describe the political beliefs of campus as a whole?

Facts

Gay Pride

Homosexuality can be a sensitive issue at any campus. Through such organizations as Allies and the USG Department of LGBTA Affairs, the gay community actively participates and often spearheads debates and events promoting acceptance, understanding, and safe sex. The Valentine’s Day KissOut on the Old Main steps generates a lot of attention each year.

Political Activity

Campus has a more liberal leaning, but that doesn’t mean other groups don’t voice their opinions as well. When a social issue becomes particularly heated, there are often rallies and protestors representing all sides. The steps of Old Main and the end of the mall on College Avenue are the most popular places to find student activists.

Most Common Religions

The Pasquerilla Spiritual Center is the largest multi-faith structure of its kind in the country. There are 42 student-run religious organizations on campus. Christianity is the most popular religion, but there are many opportunities for students of a different faith to become involved.

Minority Clubs on Campus

Penn State has about 50 minority clubs and student organizations run by and directed to students of many different cultures and nationalities. These clubs sponsor different events across campus and sometimes become highly visible in local media; a good example is the Black Caucus, which frequently makes news as it strives for racial equality on campus.

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at PSU

Name: James Bunting

Hometown: Whitehall, PA

Major: Journalism

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