The Catholic University of America vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Penn State York in York, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 677 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Penn State York is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Penn State York 14:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America or Penn State York? 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 York than The Catholic University of America ($18,887 vs. $32,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 16.1% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($15,274 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 283.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (about $43,170 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.9% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Penn State York (about $32,986 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Penn State York (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 387.2% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($42,657 vs. $8,756).

The Catholic University of America vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or Penn State York? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State York and The Catholic University of America.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresPenn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresPenn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Penn State York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than The Catholic University of America (82.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

The Catholic University of America vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and Penn State York? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Penn State York graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $712 lower median loan debt than Penn State York graduates ($26,106 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($269 vs. $277).
• More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.