TU vs. Penn State Shenango

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Penn State Shenango in Sharon, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Penn State Shenango based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Penn State Shenango is in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Shenango is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Penn State Shenango 7:1.

TU vs. Penn State Shenango Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than Penn State Shenango ($16,653 vs. $18,383).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Shenango are 6.1% lower than at Towson University ($15,274 vs. $16,260).
• Penn State Shenango is 19.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $2,296 more per year; $14,024.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.6% higher at TU than at Penn State Shenango (about $6,260 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $23,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Shenango than at Towson University (97% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($11,820 vs. $8,962).

TU vs. Penn State Shenango Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Shenango (1140) is 50 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Penn State Shenango 1040/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Penn State Shenango - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 28% at Penn State Shenango.

TU vs. Penn State Shenango Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Penn State Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than TU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $9,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Shenango graduates ($17,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Shenango graduates ($183 vs. $277).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Shenango students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.