Smeal College of Business: Acceptance Rate, Fees & Courses

Students applying to Penn State Smeal College of Business must follow a structured application process that applies to both undergraduate and graduate programs.

For undergraduate admissions, applicants must apply via the Common Application or Penn State’s application portal and submit academic transcripts, a personal statement, and standardized test scores (optional). Proof of English proficiency is required for international students.

For graduate programs, including Master’s degrees and the MBA, applications are submitted directly through the Smeal Graduate Programs website. Required materials typically include academic transcripts, a CV or resume, a personal statement or essays, letters of recommendation, and for some programs, GMAT or GRE scores. Relevant work experience may be required for programs like the MBA. Some programs may also conduct interviews.

Visa Requirements: International students must secure a U.S. F-1 student visa before beginning their studies. To apply, students must receive an I-20 document from Penn State, provide evidence of financial support for tuition and living expenses, and show proof of 

English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores.

Scholarships: Penn State Smeal offers a range of merit-based and need-based scholarships for international students, including:

• Smeal College of Business Merit Scholarships (for high-performing graduate applicants)

• Penn State Academic Scholarships (available to outstanding undergraduate applicants)

• Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships (provide tuition coverage and stipends for eligible master’s students)

Language Proficiency:  Non-native English speakers must provide proof of English proficiency through TOEFL (minimum 80 iBT), IELTS (minimum 6.5 overall), or PTE scores unless they have completed a degree in an English-speaking country.

Application Deadlines