State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State

Should I go to State University of New York at New Paltz or Penn State Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if State University of New York at New Paltz or Penn State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State Main Campus comparison
State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State Main Campus College 3 College 4
State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State Main Campus
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Overview

State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State
Location New Paltz, NY University Park, PA
Setting Town Fringe Small City
Enrollment 6,964 50,028
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #277 #167
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website newpaltz.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State
Tuition (In State) $7,070 $18,368
Tuition (Out of State) $16,980 $35,946
Room & Board $15,024 $12,744
Avg Net Price $19,592 $26,747
Avg Grant Aid $7,749 $10,066
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 44%

Admission

State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,228 85,784
Admitted 7,708 47,360
Acceptance Rate 58.3% 55.2%
Enrolled % 15.1% 19.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/29 26/31
SAT Range 1160/1340 1210/1390
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State
Graduation Rate 69% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $196 $277

Diversity

State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State
% Men 35% 53%
% Women 65% 47%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 69%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 17% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 11%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State
% In-State 97% 51%
% Out-of-State 3% 40%

Campus

State University of New York at New Paltz Penn State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Penn State Main Campus is larger than than State University of New York at New Paltz based on total student enrollment (50,028 students vs. 6,964 students)

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, State University of New York at New Paltz or Penn State?

  • Penn State Main Campus is 159.8% more expensive to attend than State University of New York at New Paltz for in-state tuition ($18,368.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 111.7% higher at Penn State than State University of New York at New Paltz ($35,946.00 vs. $16,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at State University of New York at New Paltz than Penn State ($19,592 vs. $26,747)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 17.9% lower than costs at State University of New York at New Paltz ($12,744 vs. $15,024)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at State University of New York at New Paltz than Penn State Main Campus (97% vs. 44%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Main Campus students is 29.9% larger than aid received State University of New York at New Paltz ($10,066 vs. $7,749)

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, State University of New York at New Paltz or Penn State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State or State University of New York at New Paltz .

  • The average SAT score at Penn State Main Campus (1202) is 78 points higher than at State University of New York at New Paltz (1124)
  • Incoming Penn State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at State University of New York at New Paltz (25)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz has a higher acceptance rate (58.3%) than Penn State (55.2%)

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, State University of New York at New Paltz or Penn State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State and State University of New York at New Paltz.

  • The graduation rate at Penn State is higher than State University of New York at New Paltz (87% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Main Campus earn on average $7,900 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $47,400)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz students graduate with a $7,818 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State graduates. ($19,000 vs. $26,818)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz graduates are paying $81 less per month on federal student loans than Penn State graduates. ($196 vs. $277)
  • More State University of New York at New Paltz graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/