Fisher vs. Penn State Scranton

Comparable Facts

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

St. John Fisher University is larger than Penn State Scranton based on total student enrollment (3,693 students vs. 800 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fisher vs. Penn State Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher or Penn State Scranton? 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 Scranton than Fisher ($17,536 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 2.4% lower than at Penn State Scranton ($14,908 vs. $15,274).
• St. John Fisher University is 170.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Scranton (about $25,982 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.2% higher at Fisher than at Penn State Scranton (about $15,798 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Penn State Scranton (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 143.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Scranton students ($24,530 vs. $10,089).

Fisher vs. Penn State Scranton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 20 points higher than at Penn State Scranton (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; Penn State Scranton 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; Penn State Scranton - Test optional.
• Penn State Scranton has a higher acceptance rate (98.5%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 8.6% at Penn State Scranton.

Fisher vs. Penn State Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher and Penn State Scranton? 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 Scranton's (46%).
• Graduates from Penn State Scranton 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 Scranton graduates ($23,900 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Scranton graduates ($247 vs. $277).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Scranton 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.