Penn State York

See also: Pennsylvania State University Commonwealth campuses

Penn State York is a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University located in York County, PA in Spring Garden Township. In May 2025 Penn State officials announced it would close after the Spring 2027 semester, citing low enrollment and financial losses.^[2]

Penn State York

Type	Public satellite campus
Parent institution	Pennsylvania State University
Chancellor	Marilyn Wells[1]
President	Neeli Bendapudi
Academic staff	97 full-time and adjunct faculty
Students	742 (as of 2021)
Location	York , Pennsylvania , U.S.
Campus	Commuter
Colors	Navy Blue and White
Nickname	Penn State York Nittany Lions
Affiliations	PSUAC (USCAA)
Mascot	Nittany Lion
Website	york.psu.edu

The York campus was established in 1939 to provide technical education and to allow students to complete basic degree requirements in their home area before transferring to University Park to finish their program. In 1953, the school began to offer its first complete associate degree programs. It moved to its present location in 1956.

It enrolled 742 students as of 2021. As of 2025, Penn State York remains a suburban commuter-campus and occupies 51 acres (210,000 m²).^[3] The campus offers 12 baccalaureate degrees, 8 minors, 5 associate-level degrees, a Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum, an English as a Second Language Program Specialist Certificate, a Directors Credential, and two 1-credit graduate level courses.^[4]

Closure

On May 22, 2025 the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania State University announced the closure of seven of its twenty regional Commonwealth campuses, including Penn State York.^[5] Enrollment had dropped to 703 students as of Fall 2024, a 61% decline from its peak and a drop of 40% in the past ten years. There were 19 other colleges within 30 miles (48 km) of the campus, which only had commuter students. In fiscal 2024, financial losses for campus were $387,453, and the campus had $29.9 million in deferred maintenance (or $43,000 per student). Penn State York will close after the Spring 2027 semester. Current students, faculty and staff will be offered support as the campus transitions to closure over a two-year period.^[2][6]

Athletics

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023^[7]

Race and ethnicity	Total
White	63%
Hispanic	12%
Black	9%
Asian	7%
International student	5%
Two or more races	4%
Unknown	2%
Economic diversity
Low-income[a]	31%
Affluent[b]	69%

Penn State–York teams participate as a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The Nittany Lions are a member of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, volleyball, and softball. Golf, for men and women, was recently added.

Notes

1. The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
2. The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.