Houghton University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

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

Houghton University is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (1,200 students vs. 352 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Houghton 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: Houghton University 12:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton 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 Houghton University ($15,574 vs. $21,274).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 21.5% lower than at Penn State Greater Allegheny ($11,360 vs. $14,474).
• Houghton University is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $4,022 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($11,121 vs. $9,902).

Houghton University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Houghton University (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Houghton University and Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Greater Allegheny's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Greater Allegheny 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.