Alfred University vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Alfred University in Alfred, NY with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alfred University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (2,007 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alfred University is located in Alfred, NY (Remote Town setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Alfred University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alfred University 9:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Alfred University vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred University or Penn State Brandywine? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Brandywine than Alfred University ($22,710 vs. $26,470).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 5.9% lower than at Alfred University ($14,474 vs. $15,380).
• Alfred University is 172.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $26,292 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.4% higher at Alfred University than at Penn State Brandywine (about $16,108 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alfred University than at Penn State Brandywine (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alfred University students is 240.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($31,022 vs. $9,113).

Alfred University vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alfred University or Penn State Brandywine? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Brandywine and Alfred University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alfred University (1200) is the same as at Penn State Brandywine (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alfred University 1095/1310; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alfred University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alfred University - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alfred University Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Alfred University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Alfred University vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Alfred University vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alfred University and Penn State Brandywine? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Alfred University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State Brandywine earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Alfred University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Alfred University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alfred University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Alfred University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.