ASU vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

ASU vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington ($14,978 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 15.8% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($12,868 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington (about $1,078 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at Appalachian State University (94% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($8,014 vs. $7,809).

ASU vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 10 points higher than at Penn State New Kensington (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Penn State New Kensington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than ASU (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

ASU vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State New Kensington 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.