Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Schuylkill

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than Penn State Schuylkill based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 624 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Schuylkill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Penn State Schuylkill? 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 Schuylkill ($15,340 vs. $19,039).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Schuylkill are 6.3% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($14,474 vs. $15,452).
• Penn State Schuylkill is 34% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $3,862 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.7% higher at Penn State Schuylkill than at Fitchburg State University (about $7,966 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Penn State Schuylkill (92% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Schuylkill students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($11,645 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Schuylkill Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 20 points higher than at Penn State Schuylkill (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Penn State Schuylkill 1020/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Penn State Schuylkill - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Penn State Schuylkill (3.2).
• Penn State Schuylkill has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 20% at Penn State Schuylkill.

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Schuylkill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Fitchburg State is the same as at Penn State Schuylkill (47% vs. 47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Schuylkill 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 Schuylkill 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 Schuylkill graduates ($234 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Schuylkill 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.