Elon vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

Elon vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington than Elon ($19,504 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 1.9% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($14,985 vs. $15,274).
• Elon University is 225.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (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 New Kensington (about $22,824 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at Elon University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 128.8% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($17,867 vs. $7,809).

Elon vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 20 points higher than at Penn State New Kensington (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• 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 New Kensington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

Elon vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State New Kensington 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.