Salisbury vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salisbury University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

Salisbury vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Penn State New Kensington? 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 Salisbury University than Penn State New Kensington ($18,760 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 9% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($13,900 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State New Kensington is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $3,324 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at Penn State New Kensington than at Salisbury University (about $1,960 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at Salisbury University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salisbury University students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($9,124 vs. $7,809).

Salisbury vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salisbury or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington and Salisbury.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 60 points higher than at Penn State New Kensington (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Penn State New Kensington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Salisbury (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

Salisbury vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Penn State New Kensington? 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).

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $6,665 lower median loan debt than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($20,153 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($208 vs. $277).
• More Penn State New Kensington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.