The report presented 35 other states with an F in the affordability category.

"At a time of global economic change that points to a need for more educated Americans, every state faces challenges in expanding higher education opportunities," Patrick M. Callan, president of the center, said in a recent press release.

"Our hope is that this report will assist state leaders in identifying where to focus efforts to improve higher education," Callan said.

Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said the price of tuition is always a major concern to university officials.

"There is a debate every year when we set out tuition rates. We have to keep raising them to keep up with the state budget cuts, and it does worry us all," Kendig said.

Donald Shade, Regional Director for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, said Pennsylvania's affordability grade was unfortunate.

"The state has cut a lot of funding, but the state-owned and state-related universities received more aid this year than the past two years," he said.

Shade said he believes Pennsylvania's state aid will receive a higher grade in the future on the national report card.

Justin Shultz (senior-business logistics) said the high cost of Pennsylvania schools negatively affected him.

"My family doesn't pay tuition, I do," Shultz said. "It means once I graduate, I have higher bills and I'll pay longer."

Brian Henderson (senior-environmental engineering) said the reason Penn State's tuition may be high is because Penn State is a research school.

"It seems Penn State is dumping a lot of money into research, and the undergraduates are paying for this and not being able to participate in it," Henderson said.

Pennsylvania received passing grades in other areas that were studied, such as preparedness for college, the number of those who go to college, the number of those who receive an undergraduate degree and benefits.

The highest grade on Pennsylvania's report card was an A for completion of a four-year university or college by students. Eighty-two percent of students returned to four-year colleges for their second year of school.

The state received a grade of B in participation, which measured the number of students who enroll in a college or university. Forty-five percent of 19-year-olds in Pennsylvania are enrolled in college, though the proportion of students who graduate from high school within four years is small.

"It would be great if Pennsylvania could increase their affordability score, but overall they received a fairly positive and constant report card score," Hunt said.