What is Penn State’s value proposition?

[BobPSU92]

As you may all know, in the business world, a value proposition communicates to a potential customer why they should buy from you. The value proposition should be stated in the customer’s terms, meaning that it addresses topics that are important to them (i.e., that they value). Additionally, customer benefits should be quantified (and validated by customers). And, a value proposition should be unique, meaning that it differentiates a product and/or service from the competition.

I started thinking ( ) this morning about Penn State’s value proposition. If we consider students and their parents to be Penn State’s customers, what is Penn State’s value proposition? If we consider what Penn State would state as its value proposition, is it accepted by their customers (students and parents)?

It’s easy to say that a current student accepts Penn State’s value proposition since he or she is a current student (and someone is paying the bills), but maybe it isn’t that simple. And, if a student chooses not to go to Penn State, do they not accept the school’s value proposition, and if so, why?

 

[kgilbert78]

For me, back in the day, a better education than "Buck U" (Bucks County Community College) and perhaps Temple at an affordable price (my dad was out of work when I started). I also had about a 5 mile commute to the local branch, which beat all the other alternatives. I suspect some of those metrics are still important to students today.

 

[TheBigUglies]

This is a good question. Parents have to steer their kids in the proper direction when it comes to colleges and majors. For example, I steered my kids away from majors that would be challenging for them obtain gainful employment in but let them explore and attempt to figure out what they want to do. Granted many kids starting college don't know what they want to be when they grow up so they start down a certain path. My first kid went thru the DUS program with a decent advisor that had them choose from many different classes to let her figure out what she didn't want to do and figure out what she wanted to do. The would be one value proposition for PSU, that they can help you figure it out. She ended up in IST which does a tremendous job setting students up for success with the internship requirement and NSA certifications. They bring a lot of companies to campus for their recruiting fair each fall where many students that apply themselves and land internships(the students should not be picky because any business experience they gain will help them have offers by the time they graduate). This is another value proposition for PSU. The goal of going to college is to get skills/education that will get you a job when you graduate. Some colleges at PSU are better than the others at doing this though. I think this would be the value proposition that PSU should sell to incoming students and parents. They should advertise their placement rates based on colleges/majors with starting salaries in geographic locations. An IST grad that takes a job in Chicago probably isn't going to make as much as an IST grad that takes a job in NYC or Wash DC. It is all about getting skills/education to get that first job IMHO

 

[Blair10]

I believe you are overthinking things. Parents and prospective students don’t assess colleges like investment bankers or venture capitalists.

Essentially, the big picture is what most people assess.

Major things to consider for assessment:

1. Name recognition (the brand)
2. Financial (costs and affordability)
3. Depth and breadth of academic areas offered
4. Location
5. Access to major employers spanning a variety of industries (internships and full time opportunities)
6. Personal fit
7. Size of student population
8. Faculty (teaching ability ratings, accessibility)

In my opinion, Penn State is very competitive in these 8 areas. I loved my time and experience in Happy Valley when I was a student. The faculty was top notch and I was able to easily find employment with a major Bank after graduating.

During my professional career, I recruited Penn State students to fill positions in the Financial Services and Chemical industries. The quality of Penn State students continues to be outstanding and very much in demand.

 

[ValleyForgeLion]

Great question. Judging by the current application yield (Fall 2022 Institution Data Profile - Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (ed.gov)) of barely 19%, I'd say a lot of prospective students found better elsewhere.

So 47,360 students were accepted but only 9,181 enrolled at Main Campus. Maybe because only 70% of them will graduate in 4 years, but then again only 38% of them submitted SAT scores. We don't seem to be attracting the best and the brightest.

The smart kids know Penn State is too expensive and cut better deals.

 

[BobPSU92]

Great question. Judging by the current application yield (Fall 2022 Institution Data Profile - Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (ed.gov)) of barely 19%, I'd say a lot of prospective students found better elsewhere.

So 47,360 students were accepted but only 9,181 enrolled at Main Campus. Maybe because only 70% of them will graduate in 4 years, but then again only 38% of them submitted SAT scores. We don't seem to be attracting the best and the brightest.

The smart kids know Penn State is too expensive and cut better deals.

9,181. That’s a lot of dumb a$$es on one campus, and that’s only the new students.

Regarding yield, how many new students could University Park reasonably accommodate? At 9,181, they probably have students starting the semester sleeping in student lounges, restrooms, quads, and trees.

 

[PSUFTG2]

9,181. That’s a lot of dumb a$$es on one campus, and that’s only the new students.

Regarding yield, how many new students could University Park reasonably accommodate? At 9,181, they probably have students starting the semester sleeping in student lounges, restrooms, quads, and trees.

For many smaller/regional universities the big question is often - especially in today's market - how many can we enroll (ie, can we get X number to enroll)

For flagship universities (and, of course, the more prestigious universities) the question - even in times like today's - isn't how many can we enroll (they can all get to X - whatever their desired/maximum capacity is), but rather how deeply do they have to fish in the pond in order to get to X (ie selectivity, yield, etc)

 

[kgilbert78]

Regarding yield, how many new students could University Park reasonably accommodate? At 9,181, they probably have students starting the semester sleeping in student lounges, restrooms, quads, and trees.

They did In my day..... Thankfully, not me.

 

[BobPSU92]

They did In my day..... Thankfully, not me.

Me neither, but I remember it happening to others in my day.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

9,181. That’s a lot of dumb a$$es on one campus, and that’s only the new students.

Regarding yield, how many new students could University Park reasonably accommodate? At 9,181, they probably have students starting the semester sleeping in student lounges, restrooms, quads, and trees.

Plenty of cots available at The Phyrst, Zeno’s, Champs,Pickles and Primanti’s!

 

[PSUFTG2]

They did In my day..... Thankfully, not me.

That is still common.

 

[psuro]

21,000 hot girls.

 

[BiochemPSU]

21,000 hot girls.

I believe that roughly translates into "sex sells."

 

[psuro]

I believe that roughly translates into "sex sells."

 

[J.E.B]

I believe that roughly translates into "sex sells."

Especially this time of year when the chicks are walking around with barely anything on… the rut is on!

 

[WestSideLion]

I believe you are overthinking things. Parents and prospective students don’t assess colleges like investment bankers or venture capitalists.

Essentially, the big picture is what most people assess.

Major things to consider for assessment:

1. Name recognition (the brand)
2. Financial (costs and affordability)
3. Depth and breadth of academic areas offered
4. Location
5. Access to major employers spanning a variety of industries (internships and full time opportunities)
6. Personal fit
7. Size of student population
8. Faculty (teaching ability ratings, accessibility)

In my opinion, Penn State is very competitive in these 8 areas. I loved my time and experience in Happy Valley when I was a student. The faculty was top notch and I was able to easily find employment with a major Bank after graduating.

During my professional career, I recruited Penn State students to fill positions in the Financial Services and Chemical industries. The quality of Penn State students continues to be outstanding and very much in demand.

And a damn “collegiate” feeling campus and downtown. State College is what many grow up expecting college to look and feel like.

 

[WestSideLion]

For many smaller/regional universities the big question is often - especially in today's market - how many can we enroll (ie, can we get X number to enroll)

For flagship universities (and, of course, the more prestigious universities) the question - even in times like today's - isn't how many can we enroll (they can all get to X - whatever their desired/maximum capacity is), but rather how deeply do they have to fish in the pond in order to get to X (ie selectivity, yield, etc)

I’ve wondered what Princeton’s acceptance rate is for kids whose families will pay full tuition. Maybe it’s the same, but I think ability to pay full price impacts acceptance on some level.

 

[GrimReaper]

I’ve wondered what Princeton’s acceptance rate is for kids whose families will pay full tuition. Maybe it’s the same, but I think ability to pay full price impacts acceptance on some level.

Princeton? Admissions are need-blind and I have no reason to believe they aren't.

 

[WestSideLion]

Princeton? Admissions are need-blind and I have no reason to believe they aren't.

Ok. Perhaps a bad example. What about Penn or Cornell? Or Bucknell or CMU?

 

[GrimReaper]

Ok. Perhaps a bad example. What about Penn or Cornell? Or Bucknell or CMU?

Penn, Cornell, and CMU are need-blind. Bucknell is not. Penn is the only one of the group whose financial aid package does not include loans.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

sell schreyer and hott chicks

 

[bdgan]

As you may all know, in the business world, a value proposition communicates to a potential customer why they should buy from you. The value proposition should be stated in the customer’s terms, meaning that it addresses topics that are important to them (i.e., that they value). Additionally, customer benefits should be quantified (and validated by customers). And, a value proposition should be unique, meaning that it differentiates a product and/or service from the competition.

I started thinking ( ) this morning about Penn State’s value proposition. If we consider students and their parents to be Penn State’s customers, what is Penn State’s value proposition? If we consider what Penn State would state as its value proposition, is it accepted by their customers (students and parents)?

It’s easy to say that a current student accepts Penn State’s value proposition since he or she is a current student (and someone is paying the bills), but maybe it isn’t that simple. And, if a student chooses not to go to Penn State, do they not accept the school’s value proposition, and if so, why?

PSU was higher rated and less expensive back in my day. The value doesn't seem quite as good today.

 

[bdgan]

I believe you are overthinking things. Parents and prospective students don’t assess colleges like investment bankers or venture capitalists.

Essentially, the big picture is what most people assess.

Major things to consider for assessment:

1. Name recognition (the brand)
2. Financial (costs and affordability)
3. Depth and breadth of academic areas offered
4. Location
5. Access to major employers spanning a variety of industries (internships and full time opportunities)
6. Personal fit
7. Size of student population
8. Faculty (teaching ability ratings, accessibility)

In my opinion, Penn State is very competitive in these 8 areas. I loved my time and experience in Happy Valley when I was a student. The faculty was top notch and I was able to easily find employment with a major Bank after graduating.

During my professional career, I recruited Penn State students to fill positions in the Financial Services and Chemical industries. The quality of Penn State students continues to be outstanding and very much in demand.

Competitive location?
Affordable?

 

[PSUFTG2]

I’ve wondered what Princeton’s acceptance rate is for kids whose families will pay full tuition. Maybe it’s the same, but I think ability to pay full price impacts acceptance on some level.

I do not know those figures, but given the level of Princeton's endowment, I expect financial need is a non-factor.
That doesn't mean a lot of wealthy kids don't get in (they probably do, for any number of reasons). But I doubt that Princeton (or Yale, Harvard etc) care one lick as to whether a kid (or their parents) can pay or not.