Penn State New Kensington vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State New Kensington is located in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State New Kensington 9:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Penn State New Kensington vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State New Kensington or VCU? 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 VCU ($19,504 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State New Kensington are 16.3% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,274 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 17.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $2,537 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.2% higher at VCU than at Penn State New Kensington (about $15,975 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 81.7% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($14,186 vs. $7,809).

Penn State New Kensington vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is 50 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State New Kensington - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than VCU (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22% at Penn State New Kensington vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Penn State New Kensington vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Penn State New Kensington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.