Cornerstone University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI with Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornerstone University is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (1,695 students vs. 352 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornerstone University is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cornerstone University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornerstone University 15:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

Cornerstone University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornerstone University or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Greater Allegheny than Cornerstone University ($15,574 vs. $21,335).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornerstone University are 12.3% lower than at Penn State Greater Allegheny ($12,700 vs. $14,474).
• Cornerstone University is 59.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $8,592 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Penn State Greater Allegheny than at Cornerstone University (about $1,134 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornerstone University than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornerstone University students is 83.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($20,439 vs. $11,121).

Cornerstone University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornerstone University or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Greater Allegheny and Cornerstone University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180) is 80 points higher than at Cornerstone University (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornerstone University 970/1220; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornerstone University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornerstone University - Test-free; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Cornerstone University (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Cornerstone University vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Cornerstone University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornerstone University and Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Greater Allegheny's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Cornerstone University's (43%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornerstone University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Cornerstone University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornerstone University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.