We welcome applications from all over the world for our career-focused master’s degrees in artificial intelligence, engineering, data science, business, and more. We value the richness that international students bring to our campus community, and we offer career services, support, and orientation programs as they adjust to life in the U.S., study, seek internships, and search for jobs.
International students who have found a welcoming home at Penn State Great Valley talk about their experiences and why they chose Great Valley for their graduate studies.
About Penn State
The Pennsylvania State University, or Penn State, is a leading public university and a nationally recognized Research 1 Institution, a classification indicating very high research activity. Penn State was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best global universities out of more than 2,200 universities in more than 100 countries.
We are one university with multiple campuses across the state and a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
About Penn State Great Valley
The Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies, is one of 24 Penn State campuses throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Begin a virtual tour of our campus.
Our academic community is small and friendly, allowing you to access support easily from professors and staff members who know you. They can offer guidance on academics, your career path, and adjusting to life in the U.S.
Penn State Great Valley is located near Philadelphia — one of the largest cities in the United States. The campus is also near numerous leading financial, engineering, and technology companies, offering students opportunities to build their networks.
Top 8 reasons international students earn master’s degrees at Penn State Great Valley
Why do international students choose Penn State Great Valley for their graduate education? Here’s what our students and alumni say:
- The Penn State reputation for excellence — When you complete a master's degree at Penn State Great Valley, you will receive a Penn State diploma, offering you a prestigious credential from a highly regarded, globally competitive institution.
"With the Penn State name, I’m bound to have a lot of opportunities. Everybody says Penn State is a really good university.”
—Chandan Shivalingaiah
Software Engineer
MyRaina
- High-ranking, STEM-designated programs aligned with industry needs and trends, with opportunities for CPT and OPT.
“Penn State was reviewed well in US News and World Report. I saw the program was great, and the capstone project stood out to me.”
—Daniel Kumankumah
Software Development Engineer
Amazon
- Large network of alumni and classmates who are working professionals — With one of the largest alumni networks in the world, made up of more than 800,000 living alumni, Penn Staters can be found in all 50 U.S. states and in more than 160 countries around the world.
“Many of my friends got a job because their classmates were working in a company and connected them. The alumni network is a big resource.”
—Parth Trivedi
Continuous Improvement Manager
Universal Pure
- Many research opportunities, including paid part-time research assistant positions.
“Great Valley provided opportunities to participate in hackathons, project innovation contests, cutting-edge research and publications, further strengthening my industry credentials and giving me a competitive edge in the job market.”
—Bharat Sharma
Director of Artificial Intelligence and Integrations
World Wide Land Transfer
“We learned so much throughout the publication process, from formulating the research question to writing the paper and responding to reviewer feedback. Our professors’ support and guidance made a big difference. I’m excited about how this experience will shape my future in research.”
—Sai Sanjna Chintakunta
data analytics student
- Project-based coursework and experiential learning.
“Penn State stood out to me because of its rigorous curriculum and the unique combination of technical and project-based learning opportunities that align with my long-term career goals.”
—Faizan Raza
data analytics student
- Mentorship from expert faculty with strong practical experience and extensive connections spanning business and academia.
“The faculty, composed of industry experts, provided insights that extended beyond textbooks. Their experiences enriched our discussions and prepared us for actual challenges in the field.”
—Bekbolat Tagabai
Senior Specialist in Budgeting and Economic Analysis
JSC KazMunaiGas
- Strong industry partnerships, which can lead to internship opportunities.
“An industry collaboration led to an internship and ended up landing me a job in this tough market.”
—Rahul Vemuri
Data Engineer
PQ
- Career support, including help optimizing LinkedIn profiles and resumes for applicant tracking systems.
“I received immense help and guidance from Career Services, whose staff worked with me on highlighting my strengths in my resume and LinkedIn profile. I was contacted through LinkedIn for my current role at EY!”
—Arthi Vasudevan
Senior Technology Consultant
EY