Penn State Shenango vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Shenango in Sharon, 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 Shenango based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Shenango is located in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango 7:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Penn State Shenango vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango ($15,169 vs. $18,383).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 4.5% lower than at Penn State Shenango ($14,582 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State Shenango is 38.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $3,920 more per year; $14,024.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at WVU than at Penn State Shenango (about $5,048 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $23,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Shenango than at West Virginia University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($12,363 vs. $8,962).

Penn State Shenango vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Shenango (1140) is 20 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Shenango 1040/1230; 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 Shenango - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28% at Penn State Shenango vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Penn State Shenango vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango graduates ($24,001 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Shenango graduates ($248 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Shenango 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.