Canisius vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare Canisius University in Buffalo, NY with Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Erie Behrend College is larger than Canisius based on total student enrollment (3,336 students vs. 2,451 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Canisius University 11:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

Canisius vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Canisius or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Canisius University than Penn State Erie-Behrend College ($19,666 vs. $23,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 6.3% lower than at Penn State Erie Behrend College ($13,560 vs. $14,474).
• Canisius University is 116% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Erie-Behrend College (about $18,528 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at Canisius than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (about $7,542 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Canisius University students is 132.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students ($24,972 vs. $10,760).

Canisius vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Canisius or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Erie-Behrend College and Canisius.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Erie Behrend College (1220) is 30 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
• Incoming Penn State Erie-Behrend College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Canisius).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 1050/1320; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 22/28; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Canisius - Test-free; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Canisius students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Canisius (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Canisius vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

Canisius vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Canisius and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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).

• Canisius University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Erie Behrend College's (66%).
• Graduates from Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $2,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($24,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($255 vs. $277).
• More Canisius graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Erie-Behrend College students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.