Penn State Beaver vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Beaver is located in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Beaver 12:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Penn State Beaver vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Beaver or Liberty University? 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 Liberty University ($18,581 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 4.4% lower than at Penn State Beaver ($13,835 vs. $14,474).
• Liberty University is 55.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Beaver (about $8,057 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Penn State Beaver than at Liberty University (about $1,669 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Liberty University than at Penn State Beaver (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 38.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($12,489 vs. $9,045).

Penn State Beaver vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Beaver (1190) is 40 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming Penn State Beaver students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Liberty University (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 1080/1290; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 24/27; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Beaver - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Penn State Beaver (95.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Penn State Beaver vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Penn State Beaver vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Penn State Beaver is the same as at Liberty University (47% vs. 47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Beaver earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $2,652 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($24,166 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($249 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Beaver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 36%)

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.