Alfred State College vs. Penn State Shenango

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College of Technology at Alfred in Alfred, NY with Penn State Shenango in Sharon, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is larger than Penn State Shenango based on total student enrollment (3,781 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is located in Alfred, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Penn State Shenango is in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Shenango is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 16:1; Penn State Shenango 7:1.

Alfred State College vs. Penn State Shenango Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred State College or Penn State Shenango? 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 SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than Penn State Shenango ($15,283 vs. $18,383).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred are 4.3% lower than at Penn State Shenango ($14,624 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State Shenango is 57.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alfred State College (about $5,132 more per year; $14,024.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.9% higher at Penn State Shenango than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (about $6,723 more per year; $23,560.00 vs. $16,837.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Shenango than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College of Technology at Alfred students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($9,966 vs. $8,962).

Alfred State College vs. Penn State Shenango Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alfred State College or Penn State Shenango? 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 Shenango and Alfred State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Shenango (1140) is 40 points higher than at Alfred State College (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 990/1200; Penn State Shenango 1040/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alfred State College - Test optional; Penn State Shenango - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than Alfred State College (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Alfred State College vs. 28% at Penn State Shenango.

Alfred State College vs. Penn State Shenango Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alfred State College and Penn State Shenango? 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).

• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than Alfred State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred graduates have a $11,944 lower median loan debt than Penn State Shenango graduates ($14,874 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Alfred State College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Shenango graduates ($153 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Shenango graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alfred State College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.