5 Videos,
The Pennsylvania State University—University Park
7343 acre campus- Estd. 1855
Last updated on 26 Nov '25Penn State UniversityWhat's new?
Penn State University application deadline is Nov 1, 2025, for UG students.
About Penn State University
The inception of Penn State University dates back to 1855. It is to be noted that Penn State University is included in the Top 6% world-class universities according to a top-ranking publisher in the 2025 rankings. The main campus of Penn State University, University Park is located in State College. The university has 24 campuses across Pennsylvania.
When it comes to the diversity of the university, then it has students from 50 states and more than 140 countries. There are 9,000+ international students at the university. According to the statistics, the total student enrollment university-wide is nearly 88,000.
In the context of rabkings, according to Forbes magazine’s America’s Best Employers in New Grads survey. Penn State ranked at No. 21 among all the big U.S. employers - public, private, and non-profit – for the new college graduates entering the workforce. Also, Penn State ranks among the Top 10% worldwide in employer reputation and employment outcomes as per a top-ranking publisher’s 2024 rankings. Penn State University has received the highest QS stars rating of 5 stars. Penn State University acceptance rate is 61%, indicating its somewhat selective nature.
Things to Know about Penn State University
A few of the things about Pennsylvania State University are given below:
| Particulars | Data |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 61% |
| Ranking | Top 6% World Class University |
| No. of campuses | 24 campuses across Pennsylvania |
| No. of student organizations | 1,000+ |
| Total no. of students | Around 88,000 |
| Diversity | Nearly 10,000 |
| No. of Indian students | 1,800+ |
History
Penn State University was founded in 1855. In the early 1900s, the university introduced Co-operative Education and additional outreach programming. Furthermore, the university started offering systematic advanced-degree work in 1922 with the formation of the Graduate School. In 1967, a College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital was established. Then, in 1989, the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport became an affiliate of the university. In 2000, Penn State and Dickinson School of Law merged. This means that the university now stands on two Law schools - Dickinson Law and Penn State Law.
Check out the below video of Pennsylvania State University University Park for more Information:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Pennsylvania State University, University Park cost for international students can be checked from the table given below:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MS (53 courses) | INR 20 L - 38 L |
MBA/PGDM (1 course) | INR 40 L |
BE / BTech (27 courses) | INR 29 L - 33 L |
BSc (32 courses) | INR 32 L |
BA (40 courses) | INR 32 L |
MIM (16 courses) | INR 33 L - 37 L |
BBA (17 courses) | INR 32 L |
MA (23 courses) | INR 26 L - 34 L |
BBA7 (7 courses) | INR 33 L - 34 L |
Others PG (13 courses) | INR 33 L - 34 L |
M.Agri. (6 courses) | INR 33 L |
BJMC (6 courses) | INR 32 L |
Cost of Living: Given below is estimated 2023-24 Penn State cost of attendance for an academic year for undergraduate students:
- Room and meals for UG students: USD 12,984
Graduate Students Living Expenses for 12 months
- Living Expenses: USD 23,300 (Includes around USD 1,800 for books and supplies)
- Mandatory Health Insurance: USD 3,700
Also Read: Cost of Living in USA
According to unofficial sources, Penn State University acceptance rate is around 54%. After considering the acceptance rate, it can be said that the university is moderately selective at the time of admissions. Hence, to get into Penn State, the applicants are required to have a good academic record. The general admissions requirements at Penn State are having the secondary school qualification. On the other hand, for admissions to graduate courses, Indian students must have a bachelor’s degree.
International students seeking admission to Pennsylvania State University, University Park need to have English language proficiency. For the same purpose, the university accepts the ELP test scores of IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (as applicable). The scores required in the ELP tests are given below:
Tests | UG ELP Scores | PG ELP Scores |
|---|---|---|
Duolingo | 120 | - |
TOEFL | 80 on iBT | 80 with 19 on the Speaking section |
IELTS | 6.5 | 6.5 |
Pennsylvania State University-University Park Ranking 2025
Pennsylvania State University-University Park is very well known for its academics and global reputation. In 2025, the institution achieved a notable ranking of #26 as per the Shiksha Popularity Ranking assessments.
Particularly, its courses such as MIM and BBA have been ranked nationally at rank #71 and #24, respectively. These rankings underscore the university's commitment to providing high-quality education in this domain.
Apart from the above rankings, the university is also ranked by QS (#89) and QS (#83) in category World University Ranking, respectively.
#118
#35
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
The Pennsylvania State University – University Park ranks at #89 position in 2025 as per world-ranking publisher. The university’s position has significantly improved in the QS rankings if compared with the previous years. In 2024, it ranked at #83. According to another-ranking publisher, Penn State University ranks at #100 position in 2025. Again, in THE rankings too, the university position has improved from 2024, where it was then placed at #122 position.
Penn State University Courses
Over 275 majors are offered by the Pennsylvania State University at the UG level. When it comes specifically to graduate programs, then more than 100 programs are offered. A few of the popular Penn State University courses among Indian students are BS in CS, MSc in Computer Science and Engineering, Masters in Business Analytics, Master of Finance, etc.
The most popular majors at Penn State University are:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
- Health Professions and Related Programs
According to the details available on the web, Penn State University alumni studied courses like Business Administration and Development, Psychology, Finance, Business / Commerce, Marketing, Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, etc. Pennsylvania State University is made up of sixteen academic colleges and many additional schools that range from Arts to the Sciences. A few of these colleges are:
- College of Agricultural Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Arts and Architecture
- Penn State Law
- College of Engineering
- College of Education
- College of Medicine
13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Guided 4.4K students to USA universities.
Guided 4.4K students to USA universities.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
While studying Penn State University Master of Engineering Management program, students will be able to do the following:
- Work with the local companies and faculty on research projects through the Do iT Lab, Insights Lab, etc.
- Will be able to engage in courses taught by world-class faculty and industry experts
- Pursue the degree at your own pace
MS in Computer Science and Engineering course at Penn State is designed in such a way that it prepares students for industry, teaching, and research careers. The duration of the programme is one-year. As per the university guidelines, research plays an important role in graduate education in Computer Science and Engineering at Penn State. Faculty at the university works in most leading-edge research areas in Databases, Bioinformatics, Embedded and Hardware Systems, Network and Security, etc. The first-year tuition fee for MS in CS and Engineering course will be around INR 36 lakh.
On average, students accepted into the MBA programme of Penn State University have, on average, a 3.4 UG GPA, GMAT score of 540, and 5 years of work experience. Applications from prospective students with business and non-business degrees are welcome into this program. On the basis of the entire admission portfolio, the applications are evaluated for the MBA program. The admission portfolio comprises the following:
- An undergraduate degree
- GMAT or GRE score
- Letters of recommendation
- Work experience
Documents required to apply are copy of official transcripts, GMAT / GRE test scores, resume, and two letters of recommendation.
Pennsylvania State University-University Park Admission 2026
Indian applicants can apply for Pennsylvania State University-University Park admissions on the university's Official Application Portal. Regarding admission rarities, the university offers admission to students based on the eligibility criteria for the course of choice. To gain admission, all overseas applicants must fulfil the Pennsylvania State University-University Park eligibility criteria, which include academic transcripts, GPA requirements, results on standardized and aptitude tests, SOP, LOR and CV. Additionally, students must provide their results from entrance/English language proficiency tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, GRE and GMAT.
- Application fees :USD 65 - 85
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
For Priority admission, the admission decision will be made by Apr 1, 2025. Offers of admission to this university can be accepted through the accepted students’ MyPennState portal. International students admitted to the university must take additional steps to enroll to the university such as having resources for carrying out the expenses. Then, apply for the student visa.
Once students have received an offer of admission from Penn State University and paid the acceptance fees, the International Students and Scholar Advising (ISSA) will start a file for the issuing the visa eligibility document. Then, further steps for admission are informed.
For one year Penn State MBA, GMAT score is not required. This is a STEM-designated program. Other The Pennsylvania State University – University Park admission requirements for MBA course are given below:
- A bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL score of 80 / IELTS with a score of 7.0
- Academic transcripts
Also Read: A Complete Guide on MBA in USA for International Students
The Pennsylvania State University – University Park general admission requirements are given below:
- Undergraduate: Secondary school academic records or post-secondary record (if any)
- Graduate: All degree certificates
Also, besides the academic records, the applicants are required to submit the English language proficiency score.
Penn State University Penn State University Scholarships
There are two authorized funds of Penn State University that provide a limited number of tuition grants exclusively for international students: The Special International Grant-in-Aid (SIGIA) and the Penn State Tuition Assistance Grant (PSTAG). Generally, these grants range from USD 100 - USD 2,000. Note that the SIGIA grant is available for graduate and undergraduate international students, whereas, PSTAG is only available to undergraduates only. The applications for these grants can be obtained from iStart.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Yes, international students at Penn State University are eligible for a number of assistantships, fellowships, and grants. The most common of these are Graduate assistantships, which provide full tuition, 80% of health insurance premiums and living stipend in return for service. To get these assistantships, graduate applicants should indicate the same at the time of completion of the admission application.
Penn State University Popular Courses
1 year
Penn State University Job Outcomes
As per the UG employment report, 84.3% is the placement rate for Penn State University for 2024 (three months of graduation). According to Penn State University employment report for MBA class of 2022, the following are the employment statistics:
- Median base salary: USD 120,500 (Around INR 1 Cr.)
- Employment status as of 3 months after graduation (accepted position): 92%
- Top functions: Supply Chain / Operations / Logistics, Consulting, General Management
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
A few of the sectors where MBA alumni of Penn State are working are Technology, Consulting, Financial Services, Others, etc.
The tuition fee for the Penn State University MBA program is around INR 41.5 L. As per the employment statistics for the Class of 2022, the median base salary of this university’s MBA graduates is USD 120,500, which is equivalent to around INR 1 Cr. Looking at the average salary, it can be said that studying an MBA course will lead to a greater ROI. On the other hand, UG graduates' salary of the Class of 2024 is USD 73,027 (Around INR 63 L) and the annual tuition fee for the UG courses is INR 34.37 L - 38.5 L. This shows that studying at this university would lead to greater ROI.
Top Employers
As per the details available on the web, Penn State University's alumni work with companies like Google, Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Apple, Johnson & Johnson, Capital One, Pfizer, Meta, Insight Global, etc.
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
According to a new report published by Penn State University, the university is ranked at No. 21 among all large US employers – for new college graduates entering the workforce according to Forbes magazine’s recently released 2023 America’s Best Employers for New Grads Survey. Furthermore, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Penn State is the ninth the largest employer in the state.
Penn State University placement rate is 95% as of 3 months after graduation. 92% of students accepted a position as of 3 months after graduation. The median base salary is USD 120,500 and the median signing bonus is USD 23,500. A few of the industries where MBA graduates work are Technology, Consulting, Financial Services, Consumer Packaged Goods, etc.
Yes, international students are allowed to work part-time while studying at Penn State University. They can work on-campus for no more than 20 hours per week during the semester. Students may work on-campus full (more than 20 hours per week) during summer if they were registered for Spring or plan to be registered in Fall. Note that students can work full-time during the winter break only if they are enrolled for the Fall and will be enrolled for the upcoming Spring semester.
Penn State University Fees
Penn State University fees range between INR 20 L – INR 61 L. The estimated tuition fees for first year at this university are given below:
| Course level | Annual Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|
| UG |
INR 34.46 L - 38.59 L
|
| PG |
INR 20.81 L - 61.73 L
|
Students are also required to pay the living cost which may vary as per their lifestyle and type of accommodation. The housing and fee for an international UG student is around USD 14,474 (Around INR 13 lakh). Check details about Pennsylvania State University fees from here.
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(69 courses) | INR 22 L - 42 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-3 years Exam Accepted: Duolingo, IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 80 - 100, GRE, GMAT |
MBA/PGDM(17 courses) | INR 35 L - 46 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, Duolingo, TOEFL: 80 & Above, GRE, GMAT |
B.E. / B.Tech(27 courses) | INR 36 L - 37 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
B.Sc.(32 courses) | INR 36 L - 37 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
M.A.(23 courses) | INR 27 L - 42 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, Duolingo, TOEFL: 80 & Above, GRE |
BBA(17 courses) | INR 36 L - 37 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
MEM(1 course) | INR 41 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12-18 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
B.A.(40 courses) | INR 36 L - 37 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
MD(1 course) | INR 34 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 7 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
B.Ed(7 courses) | INR 36 L - 40 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
For the 2024-25 academic year at Penn State University, University Park an estimate is given below for international undergraduate students. Students can expect their fees to be around the amount given below for the rest of the 3 years:
Particulars | Expenses |
|---|---|
Tuition and fees | USD 43,290 (Around INR 37.2 L) |
Room and meals | USD 14,474 (Around INR 12,4 L) |
For the out-of-state residents, Pennsylvania State University one-year MBA tuition fee is $51,596 (Around INR 43 L) for the academic year 2024-25. Other fees that have to be paid by the students are:
- Fees: $530 (Around INR 45k)
- Pre-Term and Orientation Fee: $500 (Around INR 43k)
- Global Immersion Estimated costs: $2,350 (Around INR 2L)
Pennsylvania State University MSc in Human Resources and Employment Relations admission requirements are given below:
- GRE / GMAT scores
- 2-3 page essay showing career and educational goals
- Writing sample
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Applicants with 3.0 GPA will be considered for admission
Penn State UniversityStudent profile
Others
80%
Hispanic
8%
Asian
7%
Black
4%
In state
50%
Out of state
39%
Foreign
9%
24 and under
98%
25 and over
1%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
Penn State University Notable Alumni
Below given are the names and professions of Penn State famous alumni:
|
Names |
Profession |
Images |
|---|---|---|
|
John Aniston |
Actor |
 |
|
Ty Burrell |
Actor from Modern Family |
 |
|
James Morrow |
Author |
 |
| Mark Parker |
Businessman |
 |
| Adam McKay |
Filmmaker |
 |
Pennsylvania State University Vs UPenn Vs University of Virginia
According to the top-ranking publishers, out of the two universities namely Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania, UPenn ranks better. While Penn State University ranks in the Top 100 Universities in 2025, whereas, UPenn ranks in the Top 15 Universities in the World for 2025. Also, it is difficult to take admission to UPenn as its acceptance rate is around 7%, whereas, Penn State University acceptance rate is around 55%. The University of Virginia is the most selective, as its acceptance rate is around 17%. Though the final choice to take admission to a certain university depends on various factors such as location, tuition fee, course availability, etc, a comparison given below can be referred to know about the key highlights of both these universities.
|
Parameters |
Penn State University |
UPenn |
University of Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ranking |
#89 |
#11 |
#297 |
|
No. of courses offered |
275+ |
90 |
140+ |
|
Most popular majors |
Engineering; Psychology; Social Sciences |
Social Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs |
Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology |
|
Annual tuition fees |
INR 22.09 L - 73.5 L |
|
|
Compare Penn State University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 21.54 L - 41.52 L | #59 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 25.14 L - 49.28 L | #26 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 9.5 L - 57.9 L | #59 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 16.94 L - 46.01 L | #97 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 15.08 L - 45.66 L | #51 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 15.37 L - 46.34 L | #36 US News, 2026 |
ComparePenn State UniversityStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Pennsylvania State University Acceptance Rate
Total student enrollment at Penn State University, University Park for 2024-25 stood at 49,000+. Out of this, 42,000+ are UG students and 6,800+ are PG students. Over years, acceptance rate of this university has ranged between 55% - 61% making Penn State a really selective university. Take a look at table of enrollment mentioned below-
|
Year |
No. of Applications |
Students Accepted |
Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2024-25 |
88,478 |
53,579 |
61% |
|
2023-24 |
85,957 |
46,605 |
54.22% |
|
2022-23 |
85,784 |
47,360 |
55.21% |
|
2022-21 |
78,578 |
45,269 |
57.61% |
|
2020-21 |
73,861 |
40,031 |
54.20% |
Commonly asked questions On Additional Details 1
According to the facts stated over the official website of Pennsylvania State University, there are nearly 88,000 students. At the university, students from 50 states and 150+ countries are studying at this university. There are 9,000+ international students at the university. The Open Doors 2024 Annual Report reveals that there is a notable rise in international student enrollment in U.S. colleges and universities.
Penn State University Campus
There are 24 campuses of Pennsylvania State University. The largest and main campus of the university is University Park. One of the best ways to get involved with student life at Penn State University is to join a student organization. There are over 1,000 student organizations at the university. A few of the categories of the student organizations are Business & Entrepreneurship, Content Creation & Media, Culture & Community, Engineering & Technology, and more. There is one Indian Graduate Student Association at the university.
Commonly asked questions On Additional Details 2
Penn State University is located in Northwestern Pennsylvania. There are 24 campuses of this university. The University Park campus is considered to be the largest and main campus of this university. It offers academics, activities, and recreation in the Classic college town of State College. There are 1000+ student organizations at the university. Furthermore, students can engage in club teams, intramural sports, or fitness facilities, etc. while studying here.
Penn State University-University Park is the largest campus of the Penn State University system. The campus size of the University Park is around 7,958 acres. 275 courses are offered at this campus and there are 1000+ student groups. Also, there are 29 NCAA Division I teams of the university in the Big Ten Conference. There are more than 42,000+ UG students at University Park campus.
Students athletes who are involved in intercollegiate athletics, Penn State University has 29 NCAA Division I teams at the University Park. Additionally, this university has one of the nation's most comprehensive and successful athletic programs. Also, there are 50+ club sports of the university. There are intramural sports too at this university. Penn State offers more than 30 Intramural sports including Soccer, Football, Basketball, and Squash.
Penn State University Research
Pennsylvania State University is R1 university, ranked as member of Association of American Universities. It is among the leading research universities, with USD 1.337 billion spent on research ( 2023-24). It is ranked in the Top 30 research universities nationally and some top researchers employed by it.
Commonly asked questions On Additional Details
Yes, Penn State is a R1 university – Doctoral universities with very high-research activity. It is one of the top research institutions in the country, with USD 1.337 billion in research expenditures in 2023-24. It is ranked among the 30 research institutions nationally and employs some of the world leading researchers. In the year 2024, it was an year of Penn State Research with high impact.
Penn State University FAQs
Pennsylvania State University Master’s in Business Analytics course entry requirements are given below:
- Resume
- Academic transcripts (a bachelor’s degree / master’s degree)
- Reference contacts: LOR for this course is not required
- Application fee
- English language proficiency score
Pennsylvania State University rose to 17 position among US public universities and placed #32 in the national overall in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. The university is placed in the Top 6% globally in a top-ranking publisher’s rankings. Furthermore, the university has one of the nation’s most comprehensive and successful athletic programs, featuring 29 programs and participates in the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I level for most sports. Also, the university ranks in the Top 10% worldwide in employer reputation and employment outcomes in 2024 as per a top-ranking publisher.
The primary campus of Penn State University is the University Park campus. Penn State is the entire university system that includes 20+ campuses across Pennsylvania. University Park campus is the flagship campus of Penn State University system. This is the largest and most prestigious campus. Generally, people refer to Penn State informally, but, they usually mean University Park, which is one of the many campuses of this university. Around 275 courses are offered at this campus and there are 1000+ student groups. Also, there are 29 NCAA Division I teams of the university in the Big Ten Conference.
Penn State University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 months ago
As of Fall 2024, Penn State University Park boasts a student population of nearly 88,000. This class is the second-the largest in the university's history. The enrollment trends for the UG and graduate students of PennState are given below:
Academic session | Total Undergraduates | Total Graduates |
|---|---|---|
2024/25 | 73,394 | 13,038 |
2023/24 | 73,250 | 13,091 |
2022/23 | 73,159 | 13,449 |
2021/22 | 73,476 | 13,873 |
2020/21 | 74,446 | 14,039 |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
PennState accepts students from all around the globe with diverse backgrounds. The ethnic breakdown data of undergraduate students of Penn State University Park as of Fall 2024 is given below:
Ethnic/Racial Group | Headcount |
|---|---|
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic | 29 |
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic | 50 |
Race and/or ethnicity unknown | 1,052 |
Two or more races, non-Hispanic | 1,723 |
Black or African American, non-Hispanic | 1,929 |
Asian, non-Hispanic | 3,224 |
Hispanic Latino | 3,963 |
Nonresidents | 3,989 |
White, non-Hispanic | 26,660 |
Total | 42,619 |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
Founded in 2003, the Indian Graduate Student Association at Penn State University is a student-run organisation that acts as a platform to integrate Indian graduate and post-doctoral scholars at this university. The main aim of this association is to create a platform for graduate students and resea
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
When it comes to the Penn State University-University Park courses, the main campus offers over 275 baccalaureate programs to its students. For the Bachelors degree, some the top majors recorded to be General Finance, Information Science, General Psychology, General Computer & Information Sciences,
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 8 months ago
Here are the job opportunities after doing MBA from Pennsylvania State University:
You can make your career in consulting, finance, technology, manufacturing, and healthcare. There are various Big MNCs who visits the university for direct campus recruitment like Amazon, Deloitte, Johnson & Johnson, P
B
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
Study Abroad Expert
Penn State University
Pennsylvania State University-University Park
Bryce Jordan Center
HUB-Robeson Center
Penn State UniversityLocation
| University City | State College, Pennsylvania, USA |
Penn State UniversityCampuses
201 Old Main, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Visit official sitePenn State UniversityContact Information
University Park, State College, PA 16801, United States
State College ( Pennsylvania)
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