Opening its doors in 1999, the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is home to a thriving community of students, scholars, staff, alumni, and friends. Through innovative research and a student-centered approach to interdisciplinary education, we are delivering on the college's founding mission to prepare leaders for the Information Age.
1999
College of IST
enrolls first students
38
Degree and certificate programs
21
Campuses offer
IST degrees or courses
16,700
IST alumni
#1
Penn State - Best Alumni Network
(Princeton Review - 2022)
#6
Best Online Master's
in Information Technology
(USNWR - 2025)
There is no such thing as a typical IST student. They hail from all over the world and bring their diverse experiences to campus, creating a dynamic and supportive community that celebrates individual successes and group achievements. The one thing in common? A drive to make our world a better place.
1,934
Undergraduate students
254
Graduate students
1,126
Online graduate and
undergraduate students
(Penn State World Campus)
17%
First-generation students
18%
Students from
underrepresented backgrounds
(race/ethnicity)
15%
International students
Our students and graduates blend technological expertise with teamwork and communication skills to tackle real-world problems, preparing them for critical roles with many of the world's leading companies, organizations, government agencies, and graduate schools. Their technical knowledge, business savvy, and global awareness position them as collaborative and versatile leaders who can thrive in every environment.
100%
Complete an internship before graduating
>60%
Complete multiple
internships before graduating
>84%
Receive a job offer from
an internship provider
$76,543
Average full-time
starting salary
$7,453
Average signing bonus
53%
Reported a signing bonus
Research in IST focuses on systems-level thinking, higher conceptualization of global problems, and interdisciplinary connectivity. We explore innovative solutions for dealing with the complex and emerging problems that are changing the way we think, live, and engage with the world. Our faculty, students, and scholars represent the best Penn State has to offer.
$63.6 million
External research
funding credited to
IST faculty since 2015
376
External research
grants credited to
IST faculty since 2015
$700,000+
Seed grants and matching
funds awarded by IST
78
Full-time faculty
19
Affiliate faculty
4
Core research areas
All stats are for the University Park campus in 2023-2024 unless otherwise noted.