Data Sciences at Penn State is a B.S. housed in the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), distinct from the separate Applied Data Science degree some third-party sites describe, so confirm you're looking at the right program code when you research it. Like Mechanical Engineering, it's a controlled major: you're admitted to Penn State first, then you clear a separate entrance-to-major process built around a specific set of courses rather than a standalone admit rate.
This article covers the acceptance picture, the entrance-to-major process, cost, admission requirements, English-test rules, and career outcomes for Data Sciences specifically.
Acceptance Rate
Penn State does not publish a Data Sciences-specific acceptance rate; what matters in practice is the entrance-to-major course requirement, not a separate admit rate. Per Penn State's own undergraduate bulletin, candidates must complete CMPSC 121 or CMPSC 131, CMPSC 122 or CMPSC 132, MATH 140, MATH 141, and STAT 200 or DS 200, with some of these courses requiring a grade of C or better, by the end of the semester in which the entrance-to-major process runs.
On top of the course list, Penn State's university-wide controlled-major policy applies: students are considered for entry based on their cumulative Penn State GPA at the end of the fall semester before their "pool" semester (typically spring of sophomore year). A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher generally cannot be denied entry once the course requirements are met; no student below a 2.00 cumulative GPA is accepted. We could not confirm a separate, higher GPA guarantee specific to Data Sciences from Penn State's own bulletin, so treat the general 3.00 threshold as the reference point unless you find a Data-Sciences-specific figure directly on the IST bulletin page.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Data Sciences students pay the same University Park tuition as other IST majors. Based on Penn State's Board of Trustees-approved 2026-2027 schedule:
| Cost item | Undergraduate (International/Out-of-State), University Park |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | |
| International student services fee | $750/semester (~$1,500/year) |
| Room and meals | ~$14,050-$18,276/year |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | ~$67,410-$71,636/year (third-party estimate; treat as directional) |
For the full breakdown of Penn State's university-wide costs and aid picture, see the Penn State guide.
Admission Requirements
- Completed application via Penn State's own application portal or the Common Application, with IST as your intended college
- Official secondary school transcripts, with certified English translations if not originally in English
- A GPA in line with, or above, Penn State's admitted average (around 3.67/4.0)
- SAT/ACT scores are test-optional
- Evidence of English proficiency (unless exempt)
- After enrollment: completion of CMPSC 121/131, CMPSC 122/132, MATH 140, MATH 141, and STAT 200/DS 200, with a cumulative GPA generally at or above 3.00 to clear entrance-to-major without question (no student below 2.00 is accepted)
How to Get Into Penn State's Data Sciences Program
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Confirm you're looking at the right program. Penn State's IST-housed Data Sciences B.S. is a separate program from the Applied Data Science B.S. that some third-party sites describe; the entrance-to-major course list and bulletin page differ, so verify the program code before building your plan around either one.
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Treat the five named courses as your real first-year priority. Because entrance-to-major depends on completing CMPSC 121/131, CMPSC 122/132, MATH 140, MATH 141, and STAT 200/DS 200 with C-or-better grades in some of them, a strong overall GPA with a weak grade in one of these specific courses can still complicate entry.
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Aim meaningfully above the 2.00 floor. The 3.00 cumulative GPA threshold is where entry generally cannot be denied once course requirements are met; sitting closer to the 2.00 minimum leaves your entry more exposed to case-by-case review.
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Clear the English proficiency bar with margin. Data Sciences coursework blends statistics, programming, and technical writing, so scoring above Penn State's stated minimums reduces friction early on.
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If you're unsure between Data Sciences and a closely related major, like Computer Science or Applied Data Science, research the exact entrance-to-major requirements for each before committing, since they are not interchangeable despite the overlapping name.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Data Sciences follows Penn State's university-wide English proficiency minimums; there is no separate, higher threshold published for this major specifically.
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (before Jan 21, 2026) | 80 |
| TOEFL iBT (from Jan 21, 2026, redesigned scale) | 4.5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
For the full set of waivers and score-validity rules, see the Penn State guide.
Career Outcomes
Data Sciences graduates from Penn State's College of IST move into roles spanning data analysis, business intelligence, and applied statistics across technology, finance, and consulting employers drawing on Penn State's large-scale recruiting network. A single, confirmed Data-Sciences-specific employment rate or starting salary was not found from a primary Penn State source during this research; check Penn State's First-Destination dashboard directly for current-year figures by major.
Data Sciences is STEM-designated, which qualifies graduates for the standard 12-month OPT period plus the 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to three years of US work authorization after graduation without immediately needing an H-1B.
FAQ
Does Penn State publish an acceptance rate for Data Sciences specifically? No. The relevant figure is the entrance-to-major course requirement (CMPSC 121/131, CMPSC 122/132, MATH 140, MATH 141, STAT 200/DS 200) plus the university-wide controlled-major GPA policy, not a separate admit rate.
Is this the same as Penn State's Applied Data Science degree? No. They are separate programs with different bulletin pages and entrance requirements; confirm which program code you're applying to.
What GPA do I need to enter Data Sciences at Penn State? Per Penn State's university-wide controlled-major policy, a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher generally guarantees entry once course requirements are met; no student below 2.00 is accepted. A Data-Sciences-specific override was not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for Data Sciences at Penn State? The same as the university-wide minimums: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the redesigned scale from January 2026).
Does Data Sciences at Penn State qualify for STEM OPT? Yes. It is STEM-designated, so graduates qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of standard 12-month OPT.