Fisher vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

Compare St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY with Penn State Abington in Abington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. John Fisher University is larger than Penn State Abington based on total student enrollment (3,693 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St. John Fisher University 11:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

Fisher vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher or Penn State Abington? 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 Abington than Fisher ($19,232 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Abington are 2.9% lower than at St. John Fisher University ($14,474 vs. $14,908).
• St. John Fisher University is 169.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Abington (about $25,922 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $15,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at Fisher than at Penn State Abington (about $15,526 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $25,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Penn State Abington (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 148.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($24,530 vs. $9,883).

Fisher vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher or Penn State Abington? 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 Abington and Fisher.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Abington (1170).
• Incoming Fisher students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Abington (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28; Penn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fisher students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Penn State Abington (3.42).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

Fisher vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher and Penn State Abington? 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Abington earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $2,918 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($23,900 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($247 vs. $277).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Abington students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.