Hampton University vs. Penn State

Deciding between Hampton 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.

Hampton University
Penn State Main Campus

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Hampton University Hampton, VA
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • Hampton University Midsize City
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hampton University 4,244
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • Hampton University Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Hampton University #668
  • Penn State #185
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Hampton University -
  • Penn State -
  • Status
  • Hampton University Non-profit
  • Penn State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Hampton University
  • Penn State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Hampton University $30,592
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Hampton University $30,592
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & Board
  • Hampton University $14,308
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average Net Price
  • Hampton University $27,428
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Hampton University $18,603
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Hampton University 75%
  • Penn State 37%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hampton University 17,885
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • Hampton University 11,133
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hampton University 62.2%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Hampton University 10.3%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hampton University 940
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hampton University 17
  • Penn State 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • Hampton University 3.3
  • Penn State -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Hampton University B+
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Hampton University Extremely Easy
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Hampton University Low
  • Penn State Low
  • ACT Range
  • Hampton University 13/22
  • Penn State 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • Hampton University 790/1090
  • Penn State 1240/1420
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hampton University Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hampton University Mar 1, 2027
  • Penn State

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Hampton University 15:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Hampton University
    • Business (28%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Hampton University 55%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Hampton University $46,900
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Hampton University 45%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Hampton University $27,000
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Hampton University $279
  • Penn State $277

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hampton University 33%
  • Penn State 52%
  • % Women
  • Hampton University 67%
  • Penn State 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hampton University Extremely Low
  • Penn State Medium
  • HBCU
  • Hampton University Yes
  • Penn State No
  • % White
  • Hampton University 2%
  • Penn State 69%
  • % Asian
  • Hampton University 0%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Black
  • Hampton University 95%
  • Penn State 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hampton University 1%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Native American
  • Hampton University 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hampton University 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hampton University 0%
  • Penn State 3%
  • % International
  • Hampton University 1%
  • Penn State 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hampton University 0%
  • Penn State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hampton University 18%
  • Penn State 53%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hampton University 79%
  • Penn State 40%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampton University in Hampton, VA 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 Hampton University based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 4,244 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hampton University is located in Hampton, VA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • Hampton 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: Hampton University 15:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

Hampton University vs. Penn State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampton 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 Hampton University than Penn State ($27,428 vs. $27,889).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampton University are 1.1% lower than at Penn State Main Campus ($14,308 vs. $14,474).
  • Hampton University is 48.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State (about $9,948 more per year; $30,592.00 vs. $20,644.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 36.6% higher at Penn State than at Hampton University (about $11,198 more per year; $41,790.00 vs. $30,592.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampton University than at Penn State Main Campus (75% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hampton University students is 64.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($18,603 vs. $11,336).

Hampton University vs. Penn State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hampton 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 Hampton University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Main Campus (1330) is 390 points higher than at Hampton University (940).
  • Incoming Penn State students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 17 at Hampton University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampton University 790/1090; Penn State Main Campus 1240/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampton University 13/22; Penn State Main Campus 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampton University - Test optional; Penn State - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Hampton University Mar 1, 2027.
  • Hampton University has a higher acceptance rate (62.2%) than Penn State (60.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hampton University vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

Hampton University vs. Penn State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampton 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 Hampton University's (55%).
  • Graduates from Penn State Main Campus earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Hampton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Main Campus graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Hampton University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn State graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hampton University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
  • More Penn State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampton University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 45%)

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.