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Bryn Mawr College vs Central Penn College

Bryn Mawr College is a private college in Bryn Mawr, PA, and Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA. Central Penn College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 18% of applicants against 29% at Bryn Mawr College. Central Penn College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,953 a year against $31,759 at Bryn Mawr College. About 84% of students graduate at Bryn Mawr College, compared with 43% at Central Penn College. Ten years after enrolling, Bryn Mawr College alumni earn a median of about $75,217, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr, PA · Private

Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA · Private (for-profit)
At a glance
Type
Private
Private (for-profit)
Location
Bryn Mawr, PA
Summerdale, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,359
662
Acceptance rate
29%
18%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1280–1510
660–910
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
13–17
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$31,759
$18,953
Full cost / yr
$83,250
$27,116
In-state tuition
$65,920
$19,854
Out-of-state tuition
$65,920
$19,854
Application fee
$50
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,017
$15,859
$30k - $48k
$18,457
$19,164
$48k - $75k
$17,262
$17,011
$75k - $110k
$19,330
$18,973
Over $110k
$40,085
$23,656
Outcomes
Graduation rate
84%
43%
Freshman retention
92%
65%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$53,102
$40,798
Median earnings (10 yr)
$75,217
$45,370
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$23,194
Student body
Pell grant recipients
15%
49%
First-generation students
15%
51%
International students
13%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Bryn Mawr College or Central Penn College harder to get into?
Central Penn College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 29% at Bryn Mawr College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bryn Mawr College or Central Penn College?
Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $31,759 at Bryn Mawr College. 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 Bryn Mawr College and Central Penn College?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Bryn Mawr College about $83,250. 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, Bryn Mawr College or Central Penn College?
Bryn Mawr College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,017 there, against about $15,859 at Central Penn College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bryn Mawr College or Central Penn College?
Bryn Mawr College is the larger of the two, with about 1,359 undergraduates against 662 at Central Penn College.
Does Bryn Mawr College or Central Penn College have a better graduation rate?
Bryn Mawr College has the higher graduation rate, at about 84% against 43% at Central Penn College.
Do graduates of Bryn Mawr College or Central Penn College earn more?
Bryn Mawr College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $75,217 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,370 for Central Penn College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bryn Mawr College and Central Penn College require SAT or ACT scores?
Bryn Mawr College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Bryn Mawr College and Central Penn College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1280–1510 at Bryn Mawr College and 660–910 at Central Penn College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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