The Princeton Review this week released its annual lists of rankings based on surveys of 143,000 college students, and Penn State’s University Park campus rates highly in a number of categories.
Penn State came in at No. 1 for Best Athletic Facilities. Beyond the more long-standing campus sports landmarks like Beaver Stadium, the Bryce Jordan Center and Rec Hall, the university has made investments in a number of varsity sports facilities and intramural and personal recreation and fitness resources. Pegula Ice Arena opened in 2013, Penn State Lacrosse Field in 2012 and the Nittany Lion Softball Park opened in 2011. Intercollegiate Athletics, meanwhile, is conducting a facilities master plan review that is expected to result in new construction and renovations for various athletic buildings
The Intramural Building, meanwhile, has been undergoing a massive three-phase renovation to meet student fitness and recreation demand. Rec Hall’ fitness center also was expanded in recent years. Penn State was also No. 6 for Students Pack the Stands.
With more than 600,000 living alumni and a dues-paying alumni association membership of 177,000, Penn State came in at No. 2 for Best Alumni Network, behind No. 1 Dartmouth and one spot ahead of Texas A&M.
Penn State’s University Health Services and Career Services also were well-regarded among students surveyed, coming in at No. 5 and No, 9, respectively.
Among less desirable rankings, Penn State was No. 13 for Financial Aid Not So Great.
One notable category in which Penn State did not chart among the top 20 was Best Party School, though it did come in No. 16 for Lots of Beet. The top spot in the party school rankings went to the University of Wisconsin. Lehigh (4) and Bucknell (5) were the two Pennsylvania schools to make the list.
Penn State Rankings
Best Athletic Facilities – No. 1
Best Alumni Network – No. 2
Best Health Services – No. 5
Best College Newspaper- No. 6
Students Pack the Stadium – No. 6
Best Career Services – No. 9
Financial Aid Not So Great – No. 13
Lots of Beer – No. 16
Top Undergraduate Schools for Video Game Design – No. 49
