Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Scranton

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than Penn State Scranton based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 800 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Penn State Scranton? 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 Scranton ($15,340 vs. $17,536).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Scranton are 1.2% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($15,274 vs. $15,452).
• Penn State Scranton 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 Scranton 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 Scranton (92% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Scranton students ($11,539 vs. $10,089).

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Scranton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Scranton (1190) is 40 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 Scranton 1100/1270.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Penn State Scranton - Test optional.
• Penn State Scranton has a higher acceptance rate (98.5%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 8.6% at Penn State Scranton.

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Penn State Scranton? 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 Scranton's (46%).
• Graduates from Penn State Scranton 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 Scranton 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 Scranton graduates ($234 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Scranton 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.