The only other sports that have turned profits are men's basketball and men's ice hockey.
For seven Saturdays a year, thousands flock to Happy Valley for football weekends. Lately however, a program that once drew fans with no trouble for years, has seen a glaring issue arise:
More and more of those seats that were once filled, have now gone empty.
In 2011, the athletic department started what is known as the "STEP" program (Seat Transfer Equity Program). What this meant, was that season ticket holders at Penn State were required to pay donation on top of the tickets prices to see all seven home contests.
That same season, the overall capacity of Beaver Stadium dropped from 107,282, to 106,572.
The good news for the Nittany Lion faithful who made the trip to Beaver Stadium is that Alabama was in the building for a game, which the Crimson Tide won, 27-11.
But the news on the non-conference schedule front hasn't been much better. In fact, it's been terrible.
Indiana State, and Eastern Michigan were the other two out of conference match ups that season. Both games drew crowds of 96,461, and 95,636 respectively.
The last time the Nittany Lions drew less than 100,000 fans for a game before drubbing the Sycamores? September 10, 2005 against Cincinnati, and that was during one of their last two Big Ten Championship seasons.
That season they also hosted South Florida and Central Michigan.
But also in 2011, the Jerry Sandusky Scandal broke, and that made things even more difficult for the program.
The program was handed sanctions that were ultimately seen as crippling. Those included a four-year bowl, and reduction in scholarships before being lifted.
Ohio was the Nittany Lions first game after the sanctions were handed down, a game which only drew a crowd of 97,186 fans. The only game that year to draw over 100,000 fans that year came against Ohio State, which was also serving sanctions (107,818).
Eastern Michigan, Central Florida, and Kent State made up the 2013 Non-conference slate which averaged around 93,000 fans.
In 2014, Penn State hosted Akron, Massachusetts, and Temple, all three of which averaged around 99,000 fans per game (the Owls drew 100,171).
This means that Penn State has to find a way to get around 10,000 more fans to attend games, whether they're season ticket holders or not.
That future doesn't look good when it comes to the non-conference schedule.
This season alone, Penn State will host Buffalo (5-6), San Diego State (7-6), and Army (4-8). All of those teams were a collective 16-20 in 2014.
This means that Penn State has to find a way to get around 10,000 more fans to attend games, whether they're season ticket holders or not.
That future doesn't look good when it comes to the non-conference schedule.
This season alone, Penn State will host Buffalo (5-6), San Diego State (7-6), and Army (4-8). All of those teams were a collective 16-20 in 2014.
Pitt returns for the first time to the schedule since 2000 starting in 2016, and that may help draw fans because of the history between the two schools.
Outside of that, the Nittany Lions will welcome Georgia State, Appalachian State, Kent State, Akron, and a recent regular on their slate, Temple.
Now, Penn State is helped when it comes to the Big Ten because they'll have visits from Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State every other year.
But what are they supposed to do when that portion of the schedule isn't there?
Penn State's best non-conference home game to look forward to isn't coming until 2023 when West Virginia comes to State College.
When it comes to the new College Football Playoff, if the Nittany Lions are on the bubble for the playoff, non-conference games can become a factor if teams are that close.
Who'd you play? Who'd you beat?
They don't need to play three major conference opponents, but to help their chances at making the playoff, and keep fans in the seats, mixing in a marquee non-conference opponent every couple of years can help in more than just on field success.
Winning will help draw fans to Happy Valley, but at the same, they need to bring in more marquee games outside the Big Ten.
Outside of that, the Nittany Lions will welcome Georgia State, Appalachian State, Kent State, Akron, and a recent regular on their slate, Temple.
Now, Penn State is helped when it comes to the Big Ten because they'll have visits from Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State every other year.
But what are they supposed to do when that portion of the schedule isn't there?
Penn State's best non-conference home game to look forward to isn't coming until 2023 when West Virginia comes to State College.
When it comes to the new College Football Playoff, if the Nittany Lions are on the bubble for the playoff, non-conference games can become a factor if teams are that close.
Who'd you play? Who'd you beat?
They don't need to play three major conference opponents, but to help their chances at making the playoff, and keep fans in the seats, mixing in a marquee non-conference opponent every couple of years can help in more than just on field success.
Winning will help draw fans to Happy Valley, but at the same, they need to bring in more marquee games outside the Big Ten.
