West Point vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare United States Military Academy in West Point, New York with Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

United States Military Academy is larger than Penn State Erie-Behrend College based on total student enrollment (4,473 students vs. 3,336 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• United States Military Academy is located in West Point, New York (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• United States Military Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: United States Military Academy 6:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

West Point vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, West Point or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• In-state tuition differs between Penn State Erie Behrend College and West Point ($15,972.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Penn State Erie-Behrend College and United States Military Academy ($26,958.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Erie Behrend College than at United States Military Academy (76% vs. 0%).

West Point vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, West Point or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Erie-Behrend College and West Point.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at United States Military Academy (1320) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (1220).
• Incoming West Point students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Penn State Erie-Behrend College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: United States Military Academy 1200/1430; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: United States Military Academy 27/33; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: West Point - Required; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Point Jan 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman West Point students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than West Point (12.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 77.9% at West Point vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

West Point vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for West Point and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• United States Military Academy's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Penn State Erie Behrend College's (66%).
• Graduates from Penn State Erie Behrend College have median earnings of about $55,300 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for West Point.

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.