Is Penn State a good company to work for?

Penn State has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 5,438 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 1% over the last 12 months. 78% of employees would recommend working at Penn State to a friend and 57% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Penn State have been left by employees working as Student Grader , Undergraduate Teaching Assistant and Lab Assistant .

Does Penn State pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Penn State employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.6 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Penn State. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Penn State?

78% of Penn State employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Penn State 4.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.0 for culture and values and 3.8 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Penn State?

Graduate Research Assistant (392) , Research Assistant (323) , Teaching Assistant (95) , Graduate Student (74) , Graduate Teaching Assistant (71) , Graduate Assistant (68) , Intern (53) , Postdoctoral Scholar (48) , Assistant Professor (46) , Student Worker (44) , Undergraduate Research Assistant (44) , Postdoctoral Fellow (43) , PhD Student (39) , Learning Assistant (38) , Postdoctoral Researcher (35)

What are the pros of working at Penn State according to real employee reviews?

"Great benefits and protected by the union is a plus" ((in 311 reviews)); "The people are great and friendly" ((in 265 reviews)); "The hours are flexible and you can choose when you want to come into lab as long as you get your work done." ((in 190 reviews)); "Nice and friendly staff." ((in 94 reviews)); "The campus is beautiful and the seasons can be wonderful" ((in 81 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Penn State according to real employee reviews?

"Very boring and structured as well as low paying." ((in 325 reviews)); "2， salary is low" ((in 173 reviews)); "poor management and sometimes toxic" ((in 74 reviews)); "Lack of diversity (do not let the awards fool you)" ((in 27 reviews)); "Senior leadership won't invest in fixing root causes." ((in 24 reviews))

What are employees saying about Penn State layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Penn State layoffs and their outlook for job security at Penn State in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Penn State locations?

State College , University Park , Erie , Penn State University , Hershey , Harrisburg , Abington , Philadelphia , Altoona , Malvern , Middletown , Penn , Pittsburgh , Reading , York , Media , Monaca , Scranton , Allentown , New York , Lancaster , Washington , Center Valley , McKeesport , University Park , Los Angeles , Schuylkill Haven , University Park , Reston , Lehigh Valley

Penn State reviews

4.2

78% would recommend to a friend

(4,992 total reviews)

Eric J. Barron

73% approve of CEO

57% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Penn State has an employee rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 4,992 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The Penn State employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

5K reviews

5.0

Dec 21, 2015

Great Place

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

wonderful people, small town, beautiful hiking opportunities

Cons

SC is far away from large cities.

2.0

Dec 21, 2015

Overall good, but bad management made it unbearable

Educational program associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits. Generous paid time off for both vacation and sick. Wonderful tuition reimbursement. Get a degree while you are there. Everything you need on a college campus is there, good food service, excellent library, and fully stocked student union with racquetball, pool, and other work out options. Friendly and helpful co-workers. Your happiness really depends on your direct manage.r

Cons

Upper management is stuck in the "We are Penn State" mentality. Not willing to look at the new changing face of higher education. Can be very hierarchical and the bureaucracy is nearly crippling innovation. Pay is below average for other similar places. Nearly impossible to move up in the organization.

4.0

Dec 21, 2015

Benefits well above private industry. Mediocre salary

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits are extremely good. Health, time off, and flexibility are second to none. The university is keeping costs as low as possible.

Cons

Due to good benefits, salaries are behind comparatively. Cost of living much higher due to university presence in the area and salaries don't meet these costs.

Viewing 4288 - 4290 of 4,992 Reviews

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Jobs at Penn State

Student Library Assistant

Part-Time Wage Payroll

Part-Time Horse Barn Worker

Penn State

Penn State reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Great Place

Overall good, but bad management made it unbearable

Benefits well above private industry. Mediocre salary

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Penn State