The Pennsylvania State University (commonly referred to as
Penn State or
PSU) is a
public,
state-related research-intensive university with campuses and facilities throughout
Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855, the university has a stated threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service. Its instructional mission includes undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education offered through resident instruction and online delivery. Its
University Park campus, the
flagship campus, lies within the
Borough of State College and
College Township. It has two law schools,
Penn State Law, on the school's University Park campus, and
Dickinson Law, located in
Carlisle, 90 miles South of State College. The College of Medicine is located in
Hershey. Penn State has another 19
commonwealth campuses and 5 special-mission campuses located across the state. Penn State has been labeled a candidate for being one of the "
Public Ivies," a publicly funded university considered as providing a quality of education comparable to those of the
Ivy League.