Penn State New Kensington vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, 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 New Kensington based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State New Kensington vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington than Liberty University ($19,504 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 9.4% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($13,835 vs. $15,274).
• Liberty University is 55.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $8,057 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 59.9% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($12,489 vs. $7,809).

Penn State New Kensington vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is 40 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLiberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State New Kensington - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Penn State New Kensington (95.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22% at Penn State New Kensington vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Penn State New Kensington vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State New Kensington 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).

• Liberty University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates ($249 vs. $277).
• More Penn State New Kensington 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.