University of Scranton vs. Penn State

Deciding between University of Scranton and Penn State Main Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Scranton
Penn State Main Campus

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Scranton Scranton, PA
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • University of Scranton Small City
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Scranton 4,724
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • University of Scranton Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Scranton #219
  • Penn State #185
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Scranton Roman Catholic
  • Penn State -
  • Status
  • University of Scranton Non-profit
  • Penn State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Scranton
  • Penn State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Scranton $53,983
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Scranton $53,983
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & Board
  • University of Scranton $17,380
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Scranton $34,234
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Scranton $35,606
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Scranton 96%
  • Penn State 37%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Scranton 9,666
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • University of Scranton 7,852
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Scranton 81.2%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Scranton 11.3%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Scranton 1240
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Scranton 27
  • Penn State 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Scranton 3.56
  • Penn State -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Scranton A-
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Scranton Difficult
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Scranton
  • Penn State Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Scranton 25/30
  • Penn State 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • University of Scranton 1160/1318
  • Penn State 1240/1420
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Scranton Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Scranton Mar 1, 2027
  • Penn State

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Scranton 11:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Scranton
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Scranton 77%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Scranton $62,100
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Scranton 81%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Scranton $27,000
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Scranton $279
  • Penn State $277

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Scranton 43%
  • Penn State 52%
  • % Women
  • University of Scranton 57%
  • Penn State 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Scranton Very Low
  • Penn State Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Scranton No
  • Penn State No
  • % White
  • University of Scranton 82%
  • Penn State 69%
  • % Asian
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Black
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • Penn State 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Scranton 9%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of Scranton 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Scranton 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • Penn State 3%
  • % International
  • University of Scranton 1%
  • Penn State 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • Penn State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Scranton 45%
  • Penn State 53%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Scranton 55%
  • Penn State 40%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Scranton No
  • Penn State Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Scranton No
  • Penn State Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Scranton in Scranton, PA with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than University of Scranton based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 4,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Scranton is located in Scranton, PA (Small City setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • University of Scranton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Scranton 11:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

University of Scranton vs. Penn State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Scranton or Penn State? 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 Main Campus than University of Scranton ($27,889 vs. $34,234).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 16.7% lower than at University of Scranton ($14,474 vs. $17,380).
  • University of Scranton is 161.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State (about $33,339 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $20,644.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at University of Scranton than at Penn State Main Campus (about $12,193 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $41,790.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Scranton than at Penn State Main Campus (96% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Scranton students is 214.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($35,606 vs. $11,336).

University of Scranton vs. Penn State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Scranton or Penn State? 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 and University of Scranton.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Main Campus (1330) is 90 points higher than at University of Scranton (1240).
  • Incoming Penn State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at University of Scranton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Scranton 1160/1318; Penn State Main Campus 1240/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Scranton 25/30; Penn State Main Campus 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Scranton - Test optional; Penn State - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Scranton Mar 1, 2027.
  • University of Scranton has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Penn State (60.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at University of Scranton vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

University of Scranton vs. Penn State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Scranton and Penn State? 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).

  • Penn State Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Scranton's (77%).
  • Graduates from University of Scranton earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Penn State graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Main Campus graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than University of Scranton graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn State graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Scranton graduates ($277 vs. $279).
  • More University of Scranton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.