Penn State University Press opened its doors in 1956 as a new division of the Pennsylvania State University Library system. Its first publication was a personal memoir titled Penn State Yankee: The Autobiography of Fred Lewis Pattee.
Art history, medieval studies, Latin American studies, rhetoric and communication, religious studies, and graphic medicine form the primary areas of focus for Penn State University Press. These specialized fields allowed the press to build a reputation beyond standard textbook publishing while producing about 80 books each year.
Penn State University Press acquired Eisenbrauns in November 2017 to bring ancient Near East and biblical studies under its umbrella. Eisenbrauns continued to operate as an imprint rather than disappearing into the main brand identity.
The organization now employs between 25 and 30 people to handle daily operations following significant expansion efforts. This growth included hiring additional staff members to manage the growing list of titles after acquiring Eisenbrauns and launching Graphic Mundi.
A major shift occurred in 2016 when the Press launched PSU Press Unlocked to make over 70 books and journals available without cost barriers for readers. The platform remains active today as a key component of the press's modern strategy.