Kentucky vs. Penn State Beaver

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Penn State Beaver in Monaca, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Penn State Beaver is in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Penn State Beaver 12:1.

Kentucky vs. Penn State Beaver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or Penn State Beaver? 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 Beaver than Kentucky ($18,581 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Beaver are 9.6% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,474 vs. $16,016).
• Penn State Beaver is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $906 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Kentucky than at Penn State Beaver (about $10,006 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Penn State Beaver (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($12,898 vs. $9,045).

Kentucky vs. Penn State Beaver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky or Penn State Beaver? 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 Beaver and Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Beaver (1190) is 10 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Beaver students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Penn State Beaver 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Penn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Penn State Beaver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Kentucky (92.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 9.5% at Penn State Beaver.

Kentucky vs. Penn State Beaver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky and Penn State Beaver? 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).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Penn State Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Beaver earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $4,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($22,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($235 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Beaver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.