Elon vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 352 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Elon 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: Elon University 11:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

Elon vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($15,574 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Greater Allegheny are 3.4% lower than at Elon University ($14,474 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 225.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $32,550 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.6% higher at Elon than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $22,824 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Greater Allegheny than at Elon University (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 60.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($17,867 vs. $11,121).

Elon vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elon University 1130/1280; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Elon vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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.

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Penn State Greater Allegheny's (47%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Greater Allegheny 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.