Penn State New Kensington vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, PA with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shenandoah University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State New Kensington is located in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State New Kensington 9:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Penn State New Kensington vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State New Kensington or SU? 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 SU ($19,504 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 18.2% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($12,490 vs. $15,274).
• Shenandoah University is 156.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $22,542 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.1% higher at SU than at Penn State New Kensington (about $12,816 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Penn State New Kensington (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 216.9% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($24,747 vs. $7,809).

Penn State New Kensington vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State New Kensington or SU? 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 SU and Penn State New Kensington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is 70 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State New Kensington - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22% at Penn State New Kensington vs. 16.7% at SU.

Penn State New Kensington vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State New Kensington and SU? 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).

• Shenandoah University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State New Kensington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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.