Carlow University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA 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 Carlow University based on total student enrollment (3,336 students vs. 2,416 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carlow University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Carlow 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: Carlow University 12:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

Carlow University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carlow University 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 Carlow University than Penn State Erie-Behrend College ($21,002 vs. $23,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carlow University are 4.6% lower than at Penn State Erie Behrend College ($13,808 vs. $14,474).
• Carlow University is 124.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Erie-Behrend College (about $19,902 more per year; $35,874.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.1% higher at Carlow University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (about $8,916 more per year; $35,874.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carlow University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 162.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students ($28,233 vs. $10,760).

Carlow University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carlow University 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 Carlow University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Erie Behrend College (1220) is 160 points higher than at Carlow University (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carlow University 960/1168; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carlow University - Test optional; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Carlow University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Carlow University vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

Carlow University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carlow University 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).

• Penn State Erie Behrend College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Carlow University's (51%).
• Graduates from Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Carlow University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Erie Behrend College graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Carlow University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carlow University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carlow University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.