Facebook
tumblr.
Twitter
YouTube
Tuition and Financial Support
This page presents tuition and financial support information for Smeal MBA students.
Tuition and Financial Support
Tuition and Expenses
Below are estimated tuition expenses for the current academic year. Estimated housing expenses are based on on-campus graduate housing fees, which may be lower than off-campus options.
| Estimated Expenses for the 2009-2010 Academic Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Expenses | PA Residents | Out-of-state Residents |
| Tuition | $18,948 | $31,470 |
| Fees | $1,012 | $1,012 |
| Room, Board, & Personal (estimated) | $17,400 | $17,400 |
| Laptop Computer | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Global Immersion (first-year only) | $1,700 | $1,700 |
Sources: 2009-2010 Tuition and Fees Schedules; Financial Guarantee Requirements
Return on Investment
A Penn State Smeal MBA pays for itself within 4.3 years according to Forbes' 2009 rankings. As a land-grant institution, Penn State offers competitive tuition and is also recognized as a top school in return on investment (ROI). Our costs are comparatively low, and our graduates yield competitive salaries, making the Smeal MBA a great investment. Furthermore, many of our MBA students receive assistantships and scholarships, making their MBA degrees an even better investment.
Financial Support
Smeal offers scholarships and assistantships to many students each year. They are awarded based on merit using the admission-process criteria that considers academic ability, work experience, leadership skills, and overall fit with the program.
All applicants are automatically considered for funding and there is no additional application for these awards. For full consideration, candidates should apply by the February 1 application deadline.
Scholarships
The Penn State Smeal MBA scholarships are funded by alumni and friends of Penn State to attract outstanding students who will bring academic excellence, leadership potential, diversity and uniqueness to the class. In recent years, approximately 20 percent of incoming students have received a scholarship award, typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Those who apply by the February 1 deadline are automatically considered for scholarship awards. We invite you to learn more about our generous donors who have made these scholarship opportunities possible by clicking here.
Assistantships
Assistantships are two-year awards funded by Penn State to attract outstanding students and to provide support to fulfill the University's Mission. Recipients work 10 hours per week for the Smeal College with responsibilities ranging from assisting faculty to working in one of Smeal’s research centers.
In return, students receive a 100 percent waiver of tuition, subsidized health insurance, and a stipend of approximately $6,000/academic year. In a student’s second year, the assistantship may be adjusted to twenty hours per week with a corresponding doubling of the stipend to approximately $12,000.
Each year, approximately 35 assistantships are awarded within a typical incoming class. If a student is not awarded an assistantship for the first year, there are additional opportunities to obtain an assistantship position in the second year. For the 2008/2009 academic year, an additional 15 second-year assistantships were awarded in this manner.
Other Financial Aid Opportunities
Additional need-based financial aid, including student loans, is available for U.S. citizens through the Penn State Office of Student Aid. Additional financial aid information for international students is available online through the Penn State Office of International Student Services.
