ASU vs. Penn State Beaver

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Penn State Beaver in Monaca, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Penn State Beaver is in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Penn State Beaver 12:1.

ASU vs. Penn State Beaver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Penn State Beaver? 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 Appalachian State University than Penn State Beaver ($14,978 vs. $18,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 11.1% lower than at Penn State Beaver ($12,868 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Beaver is 90.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $6,829 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at ASU than at Penn State Beaver (about $1,078 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Beaver than at Appalachian State University (88% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Beaver students is 12.9% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($9,045 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Penn State Beaver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Penn State Beaver? 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 Beaver and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Beaver (1190).
• Incoming Penn State Beaver students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Penn State Beaver 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Penn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Penn State Beaver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than ASU (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 9.5% at Penn State Beaver.

ASU vs. Penn State Beaver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Penn State Beaver? 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Penn State Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Beaver earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Beaver students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.