LRC vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Roche University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 1,236 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

LRC vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine than LRC ($22,710 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 7.5% lower than at Penn State Brandywine ($13,390 vs. $14,474).
• La Roche University is 123.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $18,844 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at LRC than at Penn State Brandywine (about $8,660 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Roche University than at Penn State Brandywine (81% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 153.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($23,083 vs. $9,113).

LRC vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Brandywine (1200) is 130 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

LRC vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and Penn State Brandywine? 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.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State Brandywine earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Brandywine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.