Penn State York vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State York in York, PA with Roanoke College in Salem, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Roanoke College is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (1,804 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State York is located in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State York 14:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Penn State York vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State York or Roanoke College? 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 York than Roanoke College ($18,887 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 0.6% lower than at Roanoke College ($15,274 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 150.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (about $22,860 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.9% higher at Roanoke College than at Penn State York (about $12,676 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Penn State York (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 221.9% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($28,188 vs. $8,756).

Penn State York vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State York or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College and Penn State York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 50 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State York).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 1050/1245; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 22/28; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State York - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Roanoke College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at Penn State York vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Penn State York vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State York and Roanoke College? 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State York earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Roanoke College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State York graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State York graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 69%)

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.