Penn State New Kensington vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State New Kensington is located in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State New Kensington 9:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Penn State New Kensington vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State New Kensington or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Penn State New Kensington ($15,169 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 4.5% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($14,582 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State New Kensington is 42.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $4,304 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at WVU than at Penn State New Kensington (about $4,474 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington as at West Virginia University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 58.3% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($12,363 vs. $7,809).

Penn State New Kensington vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is 70 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State New Kensington - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22% at Penn State New Kensington vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Penn State New Kensington vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than WVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $2,817 lower median loan debt than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($24,001 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($248 vs. $277).
• More Penn State New Kensington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.