Penn State University Academic Calendar 2025-2026

• Address: The official mailing address for the University Park campus is 201 Shields Building, University Park, PA 16802.
• Location: The main campus, Penn State University Park, is in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State is also a multi-campus university with locations throughout the state.
• Capacity: As of recent data, the University Park campus enrolls over 40,000 undergraduate students.
• Acceptance Rate: The Acceptance Rate for Penn State is around 54-56%, indicating a moderately selective admissions process.
• Ranking: Penn State consistently ranks among the top public universities. It is often cited as being in the top 10 for “Top Public Schools” by various publications.
• Tuition: For the 2025-2026 academic year, Tuition and fees vary by campus and residency. For example, Penn State Harrisburg’s tuition for a full-time student is approximately $16,004 for PA residents and $27,254 for non-residents. Costs at the University Park campus are typically higher.
• Graduation Rate: The six-year Graduation Rate for the University Park campus is around 85%, which is above the national average.
• Hotels Near Campus: There are numerous Hotels available near Penn State University Park to accommodate visitors, including:
  • The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center
  • Hyatt Place State College
  • Graduate by Hilton State College
  • The Nittany Lion Inn
  • Many well-known chains such as Best Western, Comfort Suites, and Hampton Inn.

This document outlines the key dates and deadlines for the 2025-2026 academic year at Penn State University, organized by semester and session. All times are Eastern Time (ET).

Fall 2025

Fall 2025 – Regular Session

• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Monday, August 18 – Tuesday, September 16
• Leave of Absence – Deadline: Friday, August 22
• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, August 24
• Classes Begin: Monday, August 25
• Regular Drop – Deadline¹: Saturday, August 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline¹: Sunday, August 31 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins¹: Sunday, August 31
• Late Registration Begins¹: Monday, September 1
• Labor Day Holiday – No Classes: Monday, September 1
• Final Exam Conflict – Filing Period: Monday, September 29 – Sunday, October 26
• Late Registration – Deadline¹: Friday, November 14 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline¹: Friday, November 14 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline¹: Friday, November 14 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Declare Concurrent Majors, Minors, or Certificates – Deadline (Graduating Students): Friday, November 14
• Thanksgiving Holiday – No Classes: Sunday, November 23 – Saturday, November 29
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Friday, December 12 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Friday, December 12
• Study Days: Saturday, December 13 – Sunday, December 14
• Final Exams: Monday, December 15 – Friday, December 19
• Commencement²: Sunday, December 21

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Fall 2025 – First 7-Week Session

• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Monday, August 18 – Tuesday, September 16
• Leave of Absence – Deadline: Friday, August 22
• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, August 24
• Classes Begin: Monday, August 25
• Regular Drop – Deadline: Wednesday, August 27 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline: Thursday, August 28 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins: Thursday, August 28
• Late Registration Begins: Friday, August 29
• Labor Day Holiday – No Classes: Monday, September 1
• Late Registration – Deadline: Tuesday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline: Tuesday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline: Tuesday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Friday, October 10 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Friday, October 10
• Commencement²: Sunday, December 21

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Fall 2025 – Second 7-Week Session

• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Monday, August 18 – Tuesday, September 16
• Leave of Absence – Deadline: Friday, August 22
• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, October 19
• Classes Begin: Monday, October 20
• Regular Drop – Deadline: Wednesday, October 22 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline: Thursday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins: Thursday, October 23
• Late Registration Begins: Friday, October 24
• Final Exam Conflict – Filing Period: Monday, September 29 – Sunday, October 26
• Thanksgiving Holiday – No Classes: Sunday, November 23 – Saturday, November 29
• Late Registration – Deadline: Wednesday, November 26 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline: Wednesday, November 26 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline: Wednesday, November 26 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Friday, December 12 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Friday, December 12
• Study Days: Saturday, December 13 – Sunday, December 14
• Final Exams: Monday, December 15 – Friday, December 19
• Commencement²: Sunday, December 21

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Spring 2026

Spring 2026 – Regular Session

• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Friday, January 2 – Monday, January 26
• Leave of Absence – Deadline: Friday, January 9
• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, January 11
• Classes Begin: Monday, January 12
• Regular Drop – Deadline¹: Saturday, January 17 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline¹: Sunday, January 18 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins¹: Sunday, January 18
• Late Registration Begins¹: Monday, January 19
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday – No Classes: Monday, January 19
• Final Exam Conflict – Filing Period: Monday, February 16 – Sunday, March 8
• Spring Break – No Classes: Sunday, March 8 – Saturday, March 14
• Late Registration – Deadline¹: Friday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline¹: Friday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline¹: Friday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Declare Concurrent Majors, Minors, or Certificates – Deadline (Graduating Students): Friday, April 10
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Friday, May 1 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Friday, May 1
• Study Days: Saturday, May 2 – Sunday, May 3
• Final Exams: Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8
• Commencement²: Friday, May 8 – Sunday, May 10

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Spring 2026 – First 7-Week Session

• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Friday, January 2 – Monday, January 26
• Leave of Absence – Deadline: Friday, January 9
• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, January 11
• Classes Begin: Monday, January 12
• Regular Drop – Deadline: Wednesday, January 14 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline: Thursday, January 15 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins: Thursday, January 15
• Late Registration Begins: Friday, January 16
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday – No Classes: Monday, January 19
• Late Registration – Deadline: Tuesday, February 17 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline: Tuesday, February 17 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline: Tuesday, February 17 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Friday, February 27 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Friday, February 27
• Commencement²: Friday, May 8 – Sunday, May 10

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Spring 2026 – Second 7-Week Session

• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Friday, January 2 – Monday, January 26
• Leave of Absence – Deadline: Friday, January 9
• Final Exam Conflict – Filing Period: Monday, February 16 – Sunday, March 8
• Spring Break – No Classes: Sunday, March 8 – Saturday, March 14
• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, March 15
• Classes Begin: Monday, March 16
• Regular Drop – Deadline: Wednesday, March 18 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline: Thursday, March 19 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins: Thursday, March 19
• Late Registration Begins: Friday, March 20
• Late Registration – Deadline: Wednesday, April 22 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline: Wednesday, April 22 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline: Wednesday, April 22 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Friday, May 1 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Friday, May 1
• Study Days: Saturday, May 2 – Sunday, May 3
• Final Exams: Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8
• Commencement²: Friday, May 8 – Sunday, May 10

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Summer 2026

Summer 2026 – Maymester

• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, May 10
• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Monday, May 11 – Friday, June 19
• Classes Begin: Monday, May 11
• Regular Drop – Deadline: Tuesday, May 12 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline: Wednesday, May 13 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins: Wednesday, May 13
• Late Registration Begins: Thursday, May 14
• Memorial Day Holiday – No Classes: Monday, May 25
• Late Registration – Deadline: Tuesday, June 2 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline: Tuesday, June 2 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline: Tuesday, June 2 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Monday, June 8 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Monday, June 8
• Study Days: Tuesday, June 9
• Final Exams: Wednesday, June 10
• Declare Concurrent Majors, Minors, or Certificates – Deadline (Graduating Students): Monday, August 3
• Commencement: Saturday, August 15

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Summer 2026 – First 6-Week Session

• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, May 17
• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Monday, May 11 – Friday, June 19
• Classes Begin: Monday, May 18
• Regular Drop – Deadline: Wednesday, May 20 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline: Thursday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins: Thursday, May 21
• Late Registration Begins: Friday, May 22
• Memorial Day Holiday – No Classes: Monday, May 25
• Late Registration – Deadline: Wednesday, June 17 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline: Wednesday, June 17 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline: Wednesday, June 17 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Juneteenth Holiday – No Classes: Friday, June 19
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Friday, June 26 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Friday, June 26
• Study Days: Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, June 28
• Final Exams: Monday, June 29
• Declare Concurrent Majors, Minors, or Certificates – Deadline (Graduating Students): Monday, August 3
• Commencement: Saturday, August 15

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Summer 2026 – Second 6-Week Session

• Registration – Deadline: Tuesday, June 30
• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Monday, May 11 – Friday, June 19
• Classes Begin: Wednesday, July 1
• Independence Day Holiday – No Classes: Friday, July 3
• Regular Drop – Deadline: Friday, July 3 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline: Saturday, July 4 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins: Saturday, July 4
• Late Registration Begins: Sunday, July 5
• Late Registration – Deadline: Monday, August 3 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline: Monday, August 3 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline: Monday, August 3 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Declare Concurrent Majors, Minors, or Certificates – Deadline (Graduating Students): Monday, August 3
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Wednesday, August 12 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Wednesday, August 12
• Study Days: Thursday, August 13
• Final Exams: Friday, August 14
• Commencement: Saturday, August 15

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Summer 2026 – Regular Session

• Intent to Graduate – Activation Period: Monday, May 11 – Friday, June 19
• Registration – Deadline: Sunday, May 10
• Classes Begin: Monday, May 18
• Regular Drop – Deadline¹: Friday, May 22 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Regular Add – Deadline¹: Saturday, May 23 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop Begins¹: Saturday, May 23
• Late Registration Begins¹: Sunday, May 24
• Memorial Day Holiday – No Classes: Monday, May 25
• Juneteenth Holiday – No Classes: Friday, June 19
• Independence Day Holiday – No Classes: Friday, July 3
• Late Registration – Deadline¹: Friday, July 24 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Add – Deadline¹: Friday, July 24 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop – Deadline¹: Friday, July 24 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Declare Concurrent Majors, Minors, or Certificates – Deadline (Graduating Students): Monday, August 3
• Withdrawal – Deadline: Wednesday, August 12 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)
• Classes End: Wednesday, August 12
• Study Days: Thursday, August 13
• Final Exams: Friday, August 14
• Commencement: Saturday, August 15

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Calendar Footnotes ¹ These dates apply to full semester courses. ² These dates may vary among campuses.

Key Items to Look Up

For more specific information, it’s always a good idea to consult the following:

• Your Course Syllabus: This will provide specific deadlines for your individual classes, including assignments, exams, and any unique policies.
• LionPATH: Your student portal is the official source for your personalized schedule, grades, and a comprehensive list of all academic deadlines that apply to you.
• Penn State Office of the University Registrar: The Registrar’s website is the official source for the university-wide academic calendar, including details for different sessions (e.g., 7-week, 6-week sessions) and specific campus variations for events like commencement.
• Your Academic Advisor: For any questions about your specific program, major, or course registration, your advisor is the best resource.

Most important dates for Penn State Students this academic year (2025-26)

Fall 2025

• Classes Begin: Monday, August 25
• Regular Drop/Add Deadlines:
  • Regular Drop – Deadline: Saturday, August 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
  • Regular Add – Deadline: Sunday, August 31 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop/Late Registration Deadlines:
  • Late Drop – Deadline: Friday, November 14 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
  • Late Registration – Deadline: Friday, November 14 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Holidays (No Classes):
  • Labor Day: Monday, September 1
  • Thanksgiving Holiday: Sunday, November 23 – Saturday, November 29
• Classes End: Friday, December 12
• Final Exams: Monday, December 15 – Friday, December 19

Spring 2026

• Classes Begin: Monday, January 12
• Regular Drop/Add Deadlines:
  • Regular Drop – Deadline: Saturday, January 17 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
  • Regular Add – Deadline: Sunday, January 18 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Late Drop/Late Registration Deadlines:
  • Late Drop – Deadline: Friday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
  • Late Registration – Deadline: Friday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Holidays (No Classes):
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19
  • Spring Break: Sunday, March 8 – Saturday, March 14
• Classes End: Friday, May 1
• Final Exams: Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8

Summer 2026

• Classes Begin: Monday, May 18 (Regular Session)
• Holidays (No Classes):
  • Memorial Day: Monday, May 25
  • Juneteenth Holiday: Friday, June 19
  • Independence Day Holiday: Friday, July 3
• Classes End: Wednesday, August 12 (Regular Session)
• Final Exams: Friday, August 14 (Regular Session)

Download full calendar Penn State academic calendar for 2025-2026 from the university’s website here: https://www.registrar.psu.edu/academic-calendars/2025-26.cfm