Penn State is situated in the middle of State College…the classic “college town.” Located in the Nittany Valley in the center of Pennsylvania, State College is renowned for its beauty, charm and youthful lifestyle. Trees and greenery envelope the stately fraternity houses along “Fraternity Row” and the surrounding residential areas. Quaint shops, popular restaurants and taverns share the cozy downtown area with students’ favorite fast food shops, contemporary clothing stores and gathering spots.
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And it all lies in the shadow of the legendary Mt. Nittany in what is affectionately known as “Happy Valley.”
State College ranked 19th on Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine’s 2006 list of “50 Smart Places to Live,” ranking it among the most fun, vibrant and affordable cities in the nation. The region also ranked as the No. 8 safest city among 254 metropolitan areas in the nation.
State College is conveniently located in the heart of the nation’s mid-Atlantic region. It is less than a four-hour drive to New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington D.C. However, State College provides a great variety of entertainment itself with rock concerts at the Bryce Jordan Center, skiing, fishing, The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, numerous student organized events and much more.
With a total full-time work force of more than 11,000 faculty, staff, and support personnel, Penn State is Centre County’s largest employer. The Centre Region – State College and adjacent townships – has approximately 120,000 inhabitants, including Penn State students.