Gannon University vs. Penn State

Deciding between Gannon University and Penn State Main Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Gannon University
Penn State Main Campus

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Gannon University Erie, PA
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • Gannon University Midsize City
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Gannon University 4,189
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • Gannon University Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Gannon University #366
  • Penn State #185
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Gannon University Roman Catholic
  • Penn State -
  • Status
  • Gannon University Non-profit
  • Penn State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Gannon University
  • Penn State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Gannon University $40,656
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Gannon University $40,656
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & Board
  • Gannon University $15,960
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average Net Price
  • Gannon University $23,123
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Gannon University $29,799
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Gannon University 85%
  • Penn State 37%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Gannon University 6,547
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • Gannon University 4,855
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Gannon University 74.2%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Gannon University 11.4%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Gannon University 1120
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Gannon University 24
  • Penn State 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • Gannon University 3.59
  • Penn State -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Gannon University A-
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Gannon University Average
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Gannon University Low
  • Penn State Low
  • ACT Range
  • Gannon University 20/28
  • Penn State 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • Gannon University 990/1250
  • Penn State 1240/1420
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Gannon University Test-free
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Gannon University
  • Penn State

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Gannon University 11:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Gannon University
    • Health Professions (29%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Gannon University 66%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Gannon University $52,900
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Gannon University 67%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Gannon University $27,000
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Gannon University $279
  • Penn State $277

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Gannon University 43%
  • Penn State 52%
  • % Women
  • Gannon University 57%
  • Penn State 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Gannon University Low
  • Penn State Medium
  • HBCU
  • Gannon University No
  • Penn State No
  • % White
  • Gannon University 76%
  • Penn State 69%
  • % Asian
  • Gannon University 2%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Black
  • Gannon University 5%
  • Penn State 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Gannon University 3%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Native American
  • Gannon University 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Gannon University 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Gannon University 2%
  • Penn State 3%
  • % International
  • Gannon University 9%
  • Penn State 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Gannon University 3%
  • Penn State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Gannon University 53%
  • Penn State 53%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Gannon University 25%
  • Penn State 40%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Gannon University Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Gannon University No
  • Penn State Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Gannon University Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Gannon University Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Gannon University No
  • Penn State Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Gannon University in Erie, PA with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than Gannon University based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 4,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gannon University is located in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • Gannon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gannon University 11:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

Gannon University vs. Penn State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gannon University or Penn State? 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 Gannon University than Penn State ($23,123 vs. $27,889).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 9.3% lower than at Gannon University ($14,474 vs. $15,960).
  • Gannon University is 96.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State (about $20,012 more per year; $40,656.00 vs. $20,644.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Penn State than at Gannon University (about $1,134 more per year; $41,790.00 vs. $40,656.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gannon University than at Penn State Main Campus (85% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gannon University students is 162.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($29,799 vs. $11,336).

Gannon University vs. Penn State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gannon University or Penn State? 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 and Gannon University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Main Campus (1330) is 210 points higher than at Gannon University (1120).
  • Incoming Penn State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Gannon University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gannon University 990/1250; Penn State Main Campus 1240/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gannon University 20/28; Penn State Main Campus 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gannon University - Test-free; Penn State - Test optional.
  • Gannon University has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Penn State (60.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at Gannon University vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

Gannon University vs. Penn State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gannon University and Penn State? 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).

  • Penn State Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Gannon University's (66%).
  • Graduates from Penn State Main Campus earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Gannon University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Main Campus graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Gannon University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn State graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gannon University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
  • More Penn State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gannon University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.