Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport, 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 Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 352 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Greater Allegheny is located in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny than Liberty University ($15,574 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 4.4% lower than at Penn State Greater Allegheny ($13,835 vs. $14,474).
• Liberty University is 55.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $8,057 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny (97% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($12,489 vs. $11,121).

Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180) is 30 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresLiberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Penn State Greater Allegheny (96.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Greater Allegheny and Liberty University? 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.

• The graduation rate at Penn State Greater Allegheny is the same as at Liberty University (47% vs. 47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny graduates ($249 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Greater Allegheny 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.