Fitchburg State vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Cedar Crest College? 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 Fitchburg State University than Cedar Crest College ($15,340 vs. $23,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 13.2% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($13,406 vs. $15,452).
• Cedar Crest College is 308.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $34,968 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165.8% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Fitchburg State University (about $28,888 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cedar Crest College than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 188.8% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($33,323 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 30 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cedar Crest College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Cedar Crest College (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

Fitchburg State vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Cedar Crest College? 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).

• Cedar Crest College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $5,065 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($234 vs. $286).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 59%)

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.