Academics & Rankings:
* Land-grant university: Penn State is a public land-grant university, meaning it receives federal funding in exchange for providing certain public services, including teaching agriculture, mechanical arts, and military science.
* Extensive system: It's a multi-campus system with a main campus in University Park, Pennsylvania, and numerous Commonwealth Campuses across the state. This allows for diverse program offerings and geographical accessibility.
* Wide range of programs: Penn State offers a vast array of undergraduate and graduate programs across many disciplines, from engineering and business to the arts and humanities.
* Research intensity: It's a major research university, receiving significant funding for research projects in various fields. It's consistently ranked highly among research universities.
* High rankings: Penn State consistently ranks highly in national and international university rankings, though the specific ranking varies depending on the publication and methodology. Generally, it's considered a top-tier public university.
History & Culture:
* Founded in 1855: The university's roots trace back to the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, founded in 1855.
* Nittany Lions: The university's athletic teams are known as the Nittany Lions, and their mascot is a lion.
* Strong alumni network: Penn State boasts a large and active alumni network globally.
* "We Are... Penn State": This is a popular rallying cry and demonstrates the strong sense of community and school spirit.
Size & Location:
* Large student body: Penn State has a very large student body, numbering in the tens of thousands across all campuses.
* University Park campus: The main campus in University Park is a large and sprawling campus with diverse architecture.
* Pennsylvania location: Located in central Pennsylvania, it offers a mix of rural and suburban environments.
Other Notable Facts:
* Strong agricultural program: Reflecting its land-grant status, Penn State has a highly regarded College of Agricultural Sciences.
* Extensive library system: The university maintains a vast and extensive library system across its campuses.
* Numerous student organizations: Penn State supports a wide variety of student clubs and organizations.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it covers many key aspects of Penn State University. For more specific information, you should consult the university's official website.