Gannon University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

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

Gannon University is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (4,189 students vs. 352 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gannon University is located in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Gannon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gannon University 11:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

Gannon University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gannon University or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Penn State Greater Allegheny than Gannon University ($15,574 vs. $23,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Greater Allegheny are 9.3% lower than at Gannon University ($14,474 vs. $15,960).
• Gannon University is 182.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $26,248 more per year; $40,656.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.5% higher at Gannon University than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $16,522 more per year; $40,656.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Greater Allegheny than at Gannon University (86% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gannon University students is 168% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($29,799 vs. $11,121).

Gannon University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gannon University or Penn State Greater Allegheny? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Greater Allegheny and Gannon University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180) is 60 points higher than at Gannon University (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Gannon University 990/1250; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Gannon University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gannon University - Test-free; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Gannon University (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at Gannon University vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Gannon University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gannon University and Penn State Greater Allegheny? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Gannon University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Penn State Greater Allegheny's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Gannon University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gannon University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Greater Allegheny 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.