ISU vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than Penn College based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 4,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

ISU vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Penn College? 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 Idaho State University than Penn College ($12,174 vs. $23,675).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 38.5% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Technology ($7,882 vs. $12,818).
• Pennsylvania College of Technology is 111.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $9,630 more per year; $18,240.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at ISU than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (about $1,740 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $25,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (91% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students ($9,217 vs. $8,964).

ISU vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Penn College? 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 College and ISU.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; Penn College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Penn College (3.05).

ISU vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Penn College? 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).

• Pennsylvania College of Technology's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates have a $1,450 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, Penn College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More Penn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 47%)

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.