Alfred State College vs. PennWest California

Should I go to SUNY College of Technology at Alfred or PennWest California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alfred State College or PennWest California 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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SUNY College of Technology at Alfred vs. PennWest California comparison
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred PennWest California College 3 College 4
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred PennWest California
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Overview

Alfred State College PennWest California
Location Alfred, NY California, PA
Setting Rural Fringe Town Fringe
Enrollment 3,348 6,509
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #464 #1033
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alfredstate.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alfred State College PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $7,070 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $14,150 $11,574
Room & Board $13,620 $10,416
Avg Net Price $17,262 -
Avg Grant Aid $8,830 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 0%

Admission

Alfred State College PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,922 -
Admitted 4,023 -
Acceptance Rate 81.7%
Enrolled % 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 960/1180 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

Alfred State College PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering Technology (20%)
  • Construction Trades (17%)
  • Mechanic and Repair Technologies (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Alfred State College PennWest California
Graduation Rate 68% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,100 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,874 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $153 $258

Diversity

Alfred State College PennWest California
% Men 64% 39%
% Women 36% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 77%
% Black 10% 12%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Alfred State College PennWest California
% In-State 96% 86%
% Out-of-State 4% 13%

Campus

Alfred State College PennWest California
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • PennWest California is larger than than Alfred State College based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 3,348 students)

Alfred State College vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred State College or PennWest California?

  • PennWest California is 9.1% more expensive to attend than Alfred State College for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.3% higher at Alfred State College than PennWest California ($14,150.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 30.8% lower than costs at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred ($10,416 vs. $13,620)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than PennWest California (99% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College of Technology at Alfred students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($8,830 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Alfred State College or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or Alfred State College .

  • The average SAT score at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (1016) is 94 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming Alfred State College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Alfred State College (3.1)

Alfred State College vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alfred State College or PennWest California? 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 PennWest California and Alfred State College.

  • The graduation rate at Alfred State College is higher than PennWest California (68% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $400 more per year than Alfred State College graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $42,100)
  • SUNY College of Technology at Alfred students graduate with a $10,126 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($14,874 vs. $25,000)
  • Alfred State College graduates are paying $105 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($153 vs. $258)
  • More Alfred State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PennWest California students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 64%)

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