My Take After Visiting Campus - July 2026
When I visit a university, I’m not looking only at rankings or beautiful buildings. I’m trying to answer the questions that matter most to the students and families I work with:
“Would this student thrive here?”
“Is this university worth the investment?”
After spending time at Penn State University’s flagship campus in University Park, I came away convinced that Penn State is much more than its famous football culture. It is an academic powerhouse that offers exceptional opportunities across disciplines—and for students interested in business, the Smeal College of Business deserves a place on every well-balanced college list.
Everything at Penn State feels larger than life.
With approximately 45,000 undergraduate students spread across nearly 3,000 acres, University Park is one of the largest campuses in the United States. Yet, despite its size, it feels surprisingly manageable thanks to a vibrant downtown centered around two main streets filled with cafés, restaurants, bookstores, shops, and student apartments.
School spirit is impossible to miss. Beaver Stadium is the second-largest stadium in North America and the fourth-largest in the world, transforming football weekends into an unforgettable experience that unites students, alumni, and families.
Even students who have little interest in sports quickly discover that Penn State pride is part of the university’s identity.
For many international applicants, “business” is simply a broad category. At Penn State, however, the quality of specific programs makes all the difference.
The Smeal College of Business is nationally recognized, particularly for its Supply Chain and Information Systems program, consistently ranked among the top five in the United States. Its undergraduate business programs are also regularly ranked among the country’s very best public business schools.
What impressed me most wasn’t only the rankings—it was the emphasis on preparing students for employment.
Penn State’s alumni network is enormous, and employers recruit heavily on campus. Graduates enter careers in consulting, finance, technology, consumer products, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics with companies that know and value the Smeal name.
For students seeking strong career outcomes after graduation, that reputation matters.
One of the most important messages we heard during our visit was that applying to Smeal now requires careful planning.
Families should know that: