Penn State College of IST
Innovate. Inspire. Impact.
You have big ideas and seek creative solutions. You value innovation, collaboration, and justice. You want to change the world. In IST, you can.
We Are.
Since we opened our doors in 1999 as one of the first information schools in the world, we have strived to solve the greatest challenges and harness the most exciting opportunities that exist at the intersection of information, technology, and society. Here, information and technology meet people, and innovation meets purpose. Our collaborative, interdisciplinary community empowers students to pursue meaningful careers and scholars to drive impactful discovery. Backed by a global university, vast resources, and the world’s largest alumni network, the College of IST is where diverse perspectives come together to create real change.
41
Degree and certificate programs
#1
Best alumni network (Princeton Review, 2024)
#3
Best public schools for internships (Princeton Review, 2024)
#6
Best Online Master's in IT (USNWR, 2025)
3,000+
Enrolled students
17,000+
IST alumni around the world
2,300+
Positions posted to Nittany Lion Careers for IST students
$79.7M
External research funding granted since 2015
Research or Regress
At Penn State, researchers are solving real problems that impact the health, safety, and quality of life of people across the Commonwealth, the nation, and around the world.
For decades, federal support for research has fueled innovation that makes our country safer, our industries more competitive, and our economy stronger. Recent federal funding cuts threaten this progress.
Learn more about the implications of federal funding cuts to your future.
Creating Leaders for the Information Age
We are about solving problems—not those found only in textbooks, but real-world problems that impact everyday lives. Our interdisciplinary programs position students and scholars to take on the complex challenges that exist at the intersection of information, technology, and people.
Discover Our Degree ProgramsFrom Classroom to Career
Our graduates bring expertise and innovation to a variety of positions—from their first jobs to the executive suite—in business, health care, defense, technology, and countless other industries. Our programs respond to changing industry needs and prepare you with the technical expertise, business savvy, and communications skills employers want.
$76,500
Average full-time starting salary
84%
Receive a job offer from an internship provider
60%
Complete multiple internships before graduating
*Undergraduate Students
Research in IST is transformative.
From cybersecurity to misinformation, human-centered computing to the AI revolution, our collaborative scholars are advancing understanding and driving innovative solutions that are shaping the way we live, work, and connect.
Human-Centered Computing and Social Informatics
Creating and evaluating interactive systems and studying the affective aspects of user experience.
Informatics and Intelligent Systems
Advancing the capacity to model intelligent behavior and harnessing, applying, and integrating the insights of big data to our world.
Privacy and Cybersecurity Informatics
Detecting and removing threats of information misuse, enhancing predictability and trust, and understanding online privacy.
Be involved. Make a difference.
We are more than a University. We are a network of 700,000 alumni that share a common connection to support the past, present, and future of Dear Old State. Your experiences and expertise can transform the college and the lives of our students.
Connect with ISTNews
More News
July 02, 2025
Wilson writes Q&A on importance of grad students in research
June 30, 2025
Q&A: Improving how blind and low-vision people navigate deepfakes
June 24, 2025
Ten interdisciplinary research teams awarded IEE seed grants
June 16, 2025
IST cybersecurity graduate named RSA Conference Security Scholar
Events
More Events
Jul
09
Advising Drop-in Hours
Date & Time: July 9, 2025, 9:00 am–11:00 am
Location: Virtual via Zoom
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CareerSpring: helloFinance: The People & Pathways of Financial Services Virtual Program
Date & Time: July 14, 2025, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
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Advising Drop-in Hours
Date & Time: July 16, 2025, 9:00 am–11:00 am
Location: Virtual via Zoom