Houghton University vs. Penn State Beaver

Comparable Facts

Compare Houghton University in Houghton, NY with Penn State Beaver in Monaca, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Houghton University is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (1,200 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); Penn State Beaver is in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houghton University 12:1; Penn State Beaver 12:1.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Beaver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton University or Penn State Beaver? 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 Beaver than Houghton University ($18,581 vs. $21,274).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 21.5% lower than at Penn State Beaver ($11,360 vs. $14,474).
• Houghton University is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Beaver (about $4,022 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at Penn State Beaver than at Houghton University (about $5,704 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Penn State Beaver (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houghton University students is 9.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($9,902 vs. $9,045).

Houghton University vs. Penn State Beaver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Beaver (1190).
• Incoming Houghton University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Penn State Beaver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; Penn State Beaver 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31; Penn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; Penn State Beaver - Test optional.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Houghton University (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 9.5% at Penn State Beaver.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Beaver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Beaver earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University graduates have a $1,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($25,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Houghton University graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Beaver students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 69%)

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.