Kentucky vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 352 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

Kentucky vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Greater Allegheny than Kentucky ($15,574 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Greater Allegheny are 9.6% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,474 vs. $16,016).
• Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny (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 Greater Allegheny (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 16% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($12,898 vs. $11,121).

Kentucky vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is the same as at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Kentucky (92.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Kentucky vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky and Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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.

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Penn State Greater Allegheny's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny graduates ($22,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates ($235 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Greater Allegheny 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.