Rider University vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rider University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (4,003 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rider University is located in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rider University 14:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Rider University vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine than Rider University ($22,710 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 16% lower than at Rider University ($14,474 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 170.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $25,912 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.9% higher at Rider University than at Penn State Brandywine (about $15,728 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Penn State Brandywine (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 221.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($29,294 vs. $9,113).

Rider University vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rider University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine and Rider University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rider University (1210) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Brandywine (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 1100/1320; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Rider University (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Rider University vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider University and Penn State Brandywine? 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).

• Rider University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State Brandywine earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Rider University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rider University graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rider University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($266 vs. $277).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.