Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Penn State Abington in Abington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Penn State Abington based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington ($15,340 vs. $19,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Abington are 6.3% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($14,474 vs. $15,452).
• Penn State Abington is 34.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $3,922 more per year; $15,268.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.3% higher at Penn State Abington than at Fitchburg State University (about $8,238 more per year; $25,664.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Penn State Abington (92% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($11,539 vs. $9,883).

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Penn State Abington? 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 Abington and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Abington (1170) is 20 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Abington students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Penn State Abington? 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).

• Fitchburg State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Abington earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,133 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($22,685 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($234 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Abington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.