SUNY Cortland vs. Penn State Scranton

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY with Penn State Scranton in Dunmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Penn State Scranton based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 800 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Penn State Scranton is in Dunmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Scranton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Penn State Scranton 11:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Penn State Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland 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 SUNY Cortland ($17,536 vs. $19,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Scranton are 1.8% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($15,274 vs. $15,560).
• Penn State Scranton is 71.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $6,334 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.2% higher at Penn State Scranton than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $6,608 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Scranton than at State University of New York at Cortland (80% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Scranton students is 22.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($10,089 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Penn State Scranton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland 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 SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Scranton (1190) is 20 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Penn State Scranton 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Penn State Scranton - Test optional.
• Penn State Scranton has a higher acceptance rate (98.5%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 8.6% at Penn State Scranton.

SUNY Cortland vs. Penn State Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Scranton's (46%).
• Graduates from Penn State Scranton earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Scranton graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Scranton graduates ($222 vs. $277).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Scranton students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.