Allegheny College vs Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Allegheny College is a private college in Meadville, PA, and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public university in University Park, PA. Allegheny College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 55% of applicants against 61% at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Allegheny College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $22,940 a year against $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. About 86% of students graduate at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, compared with 70% at Allegheny College. Ten years after enrolling, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus alumni earn a median of about $63,435, against $62,069 for Allegheny College.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Allegheny College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus harder to get into?
- Allegheny College is harder to get into. It admits about 55% of applicants, compared with 61% at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Allegheny College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- Allegheny College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $22,940 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Allegheny College and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus costs about $39,694 a year and Allegheny College about $71,348. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Allegheny College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- Allegheny College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $18,495 there, against about $19,845 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Allegheny College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is the larger of the two, with about 42,284 undergraduates against 1,156 at Allegheny College.
- Does Allegheny College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus have a better graduation rate?
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 70% at Allegheny College.
- Do graduates of Allegheny College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus earn more?
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus alumni earn more on average: a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,069 for Allegheny College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Allegheny College and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
- Allegheny College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Allegheny College and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1173–1358 at Allegheny College and 1240–1420 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.