Is Penn State a good company to work for?

Penn State has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 5,437 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 (96) , 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 302 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)); "Good work environment" ((in 93 reviews))

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

"Very low pay and no chance for a raise unless you change jobs within the university." ((in 323 reviews)); "2， salary is low" ((in 177 reviews)); "poor management and sometimes toxic" ((in 74 reviews)); "The organization is not diverse or especially aware of its lack of diversity." ((in 26 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

(4,993 total reviews)

Eric J. Barron

73% approve of CEO

57% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (4,993 reviews)

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 4,993 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

Aug 30, 2015

Labor

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great Co workers, free lunch occasionally, paid overtime, great environment, learned a lot, great hours

Cons

worked in all weather conditions, low pay

4.0

Aug 28, 2015

Blue Chip Bistro Barista/Cashier

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

My boss was the absolute best person. She took into account student's schedules and recognized that school comes first. The staff I worked with was different every year as there were always new-coming students but they were so great to work with. The customers are great and it's a great atmosphere in which to work.

Cons

As a student, you don't have much room to grow into positions. But everyone is rotated so you do learn all positions of the Bistro. Very little to complain about :)

4.0

Aug 28, 2015

Good place, but size is sometimes overwhelming.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Pennsylvania State University is such a large institution that whatever you would like to do academically is possible.

Cons

Pennsylvania State University's size can often make one feel like just another cog in the machine. This school is enormous and it certainly feels that way.

Viewing 4399 - 4401 of 4,993 Reviews

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Jobs at Penn State

Part-Time Wage Payroll

Student Library Assistant

Part-Time Poultry Barn Worker

Woskob Gallery Program Support

Penn State

Penn State reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Labor

Blue Chip Bistro Barista/Cashier

Good place, but size is sometimes overwhelming.

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Jobs at Penn State