Elon vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Elon vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine than Elon ($22,710 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 3.4% lower than at Elon University ($14,474 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 208.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $31,750 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.9% higher at Elon than at Penn State Brandywine (about $21,566 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at Penn State Brandywine (77% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 96.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($17,867 vs. $9,113).

Elon vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine and Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Brandywine (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Elon vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Penn State Brandywine? 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Penn State Brandywine graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.