Explore Penn State Hillel
Penn State Hillel serves the 4,000 Jewish undergraduates at Penn State University, from social and tikkun olam, to Jewish learning and travel opportunities. We provide the Jewish lens to a well-rounded Penn State experience and empower our students to become Jewish leaders both on campus and after graduation. Penn State Hillel is known for its opportunities to create your own Jewish experience or lead your own Jewish community of like-minded individuals. Some of our groups include: one that initiate community service events, multiple Jewish learning cohorts, a Penn State Dance MaraTHON group, and a pro-Israel organization. We empower our students to curate their own Jewish experiences, in their own ways.Undergraduate Enrollment
40,286 Students
*Percent of population
Graduate Enrollment
6,960 Students
*Percent of population
Jewish Experience Through Hillel
Penn State Hillel provides the space for Jewish students to explore their identities together through learning, food, ritual life, or putting a Jewish lens on the Penn State experience.
- Served by Hillel Yes
- Religious Services Available Yes
- Hillel Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator Yes
- Hillel Mental Health/Wellness Staff No
- Kosher Food Available Yes
- Birthright Israel Participation Yes
- Alt Break Participation Yes
- Israel Fellow Yes
- JLIC Educator No
Campus Climate for Jewish Students
- Hillel CCI Antisemitism Training Participant No
- Open Title VI Investigation No
- Anti-Israel Student Government or BDS Resolution Failed
Kosher Dining
Penn State offers kosher dining at Pure, in the East Food Distract at Findlay Commons. Students can eat at Pure, and any of the other Penn State dining facilities using their campus meal plan, commuter meal plans, or LionCash+. Penn State also offers a kosher-for-Passover meal program, and Hillel provides kosher holiday meals and weekly Shabbat dinners throughout the academic year.
Options: University meal plan-no extra cost;Kosher food available nearby
Religious Services
We provide the support and space for students to explore any level of religious observance. Most notably, we have two distinct Shabbat service opportunities on Friday evenings, and a Saturday morning experience periodically through the year. Services are led by students with the support of our full-time Rabbi.
Frequency: Friday night only
Wellness, Inclusion, and Activism
Penn State Hillel hosts internships, fellowships, and communities for activism, tikkun olam, and advocacy through multiple national and international Jewish organizations. We prioritize the health and wellness of all our students, from our low-sensory Wellness room in the Gutterman Family Center all the way to our increased resources during high-stress times like finals week.
Additional Campus Information
Visit University Website
- Jewish Studies Offered Yes
- Jewish Studies Major or Minor Minor, Major
- Study Abroad in Israel University sponsored program, Accepts credit for Israel study abroad
- Private/Public Public
- Acceptance Rate 58%
- U.S. Region Mid-Atlantic
- Commuter/Residential Residential
- Tuition In-State $19,672
- Tuition Out-of-State $39,626
- Out-of-State/Int’l 40% / 10%
- Greek Life Yes
The Hillel College Guide aims to provide you with a snapshot of each local Hillel’s makeup and offerings. We recognize that there may be more information you need in order to better understand the campus reality, particularly around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. If you would like additional information about a given campus’ offerings or action steps in those areas, please reach out to us at [email protected].