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 320 reviews)); "The people are great and friendly" ((in 260 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 187 reviews)); "Nice and friendly staff." ((in 99 reviews)); "The campus is beautiful and the seasons can be wonderful" ((in 82 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 330 reviews)); "2， salary is low" ((in 177 reviews)); "poor management and sometimes toxic" ((in 74 reviews)); "Senior leadership won't invest in fixing root causes." ((in 25 reviews)); "Lack of diversity (do not let the awards fool you)" ((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

3.0

Nov 23, 2014

I have been a research assistant for two years at Penn State.

Graduate research assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The environment is nice and friendly, the professors are available almost all the time and ready to help. It gives access to many data resources.

Cons

The salary is not so good, enough to live in State College, but not more. You have to work 12 hours a day to satisfy all the requirements and do all the homework they ask from you.

5.0

Nov 18, 2014

ITS @ Penn State

Service desk supervisor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The ITS department at Penn State is a great place to work. Management is very willing to work with your strengths and build on your weaknesses. I have learned many new skills working as a Service Desk Consultant and Supervisor that I will value for the rest of my career. The working environment is very casual, but professional as well.

Cons

I would like to see more advancement opportunity within the organization for student employees. I think that we can be utilized a bit more to help ITS as a whole and also to build our own resume a bit.

4.0

Nov 18, 2014

Could be better if administration took charge....

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Small campus in a big system - makes you feel homely

Cons

If something good happens, it is our work. If something is NOT palatable, blame the main campus

Viewing 4585 - 4587 of 4,993 Reviews

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Jobs at Penn State

Student Library Assistant

Part-Time Wage Payroll

Part-Time Horse Barn Worker

Part-Time Poultry Barn Worker

Penn State

Penn State reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

I have been a research assistant for two years at Penn State.

ITS @ Penn State

Could be better if administration took charge....

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Penn State