Is Penn State a good company to work for?

Penn State has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 5,435 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 56% 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 3.7 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Penn State?

Graduate Research Assistant (391) , 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 312 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 195 reviews)); "Nice and friendly staff." ((in 95 reviews)); "Good work environment and lots of learning." ((in 94 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 326 reviews)); "2， salary is low" ((in 178 reviews)); "poor management and sometimes toxic" ((in 72 reviews)); "The organization is not diverse or especially aware of its lack of diversity." ((in 26 reviews)); "Poor leadership and human resources does nothing about it" ((in 23 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 , Stroudsburg

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Penn State

Penn State reviews

4.2

78% would recommend to a friend

(4,991 total reviews)

Eric J. Barron

72% approve of CEO

56% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.2

Diversity & inclusion

4.1

Work/Life balance

4.0

Culture & values

3.7

Career opportunities

3.6

Senior management

3.6

Compensation and benefits

Penn State has an employee rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 4,991 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).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

5K reviews

1.0

May 16, 2014

Sexual Harassment is very prevalent

Graduate research assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

State of the art research facilities. Helpful and knowledgeable staff. Most research advisers have the students best interest in mind, but definitely not all professors.

Cons

The graduate student body is very sexist. Sexually harassed with varying degrees a severity on a biweekly basis. When reported unless continually pressed it is mostly ignored.

4.0

May 13, 2014

Great place if you enjoy small town America!

Administrative support assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great work environment and good benefits. A large number of employees have worked here for 30+ years. Small University town makes commuting to work a breeze. Pennsylvanians are friendly. Employees voluntarily move to other departments every 4 to 5 years for a change of scene.

Cons

All processes seem to be cast in stone. This attitude discourages people from showing initiative. Too much bureaucracy. Trying to make an important decision quickly is never possible as everything of significance has to be run by a number of people. People are territorial about their work.

3.0

May 9, 2014

good experience

Research associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Excelent lab, good co-workers and nice environment. The University is nice and have a good infra-structure.

Cons

Bureacracy for foreigners, social life is not very active and the winter can be too harsh.

Viewing 4672 - 4674 of 4,991 Reviews

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Jobs at Penn State

Part Time - Student - Starbucks® Barista (2026-2027)

Center for the Performing Arts Part-Time wage payroll

Part-Time Wage Payroll - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Tan Lab

Part Time - Housing & Food Services - Customer Service Representative (Cashier)

Part-Time Graphic Designer for Professional Development Events