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Cedar Crest College vs Central Penn College

Cedar Crest College is a private college in Allentown, PA. Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA. Central Penn College admits about 18% of applicants and Cedar Crest College about 84%, making Central Penn College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,659 a year at Cedar Crest College after aid, and about $18,953 at Central Penn College. About 59% of students graduate at Cedar Crest College, compared with 43% at Central Penn College. Ten years after enrolling, Cedar Crest College alumni earn a median of about $59,460, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, PA · Private

Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA · Private (for-profit)
At a glance
Type
Private
Private (for-profit)
Location
Allentown, PA
Summerdale, PA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
834
662
Acceptance rate
84%
18%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.38–3.88
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1000–1230
660–910
ACT (middle 50%)
20–29
13–17
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,659
$18,953
Full cost / yr
$57,206
$27,116
In-state tuition
$46,314
$19,854
Out-of-state tuition
$46,314
$19,854
Application fee
$0
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$21,044
$15,859
$30k - $48k
$24,250
$19,164
$48k - $75k
$21,490
$17,011
$75k - $110k
$19,909
$18,973
Over $110k
$11,008
$23,656
Outcomes
Graduation rate
59%
43%
Freshman retention
71%
65%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$48,295
$40,798
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,460
$45,370
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$23,194
Student body
Pell grant recipients
44%
49%
First-generation students
43%
51%
International students
7%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
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 Cedar Crest 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 84% at Cedar Crest 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, Cedar Crest College or Central Penn College?
Cedar Crest College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,659 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,953 at Central Penn 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 Cedar Crest College and Central Penn College?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Cedar Crest College about $57,206. 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, Cedar Crest College or Central Penn College?
Central Penn College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,859 there, against about $21,044 at Cedar Crest College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Cedar Crest College or Central Penn College?
Cedar Crest College is the larger of the two, with about 834 undergraduates against 662 at Central Penn College.
Does Cedar Crest College or Central Penn College have a better graduation rate?
Cedar Crest College has the higher graduation rate, at about 59% against 43% at Central Penn College.
Do graduates of Cedar Crest College or Central Penn College earn more?
Cedar Crest College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $59,460 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,370 for Central Penn College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Cedar Crest College and Central Penn College require SAT or ACT scores?
Cedar Crest College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Cedar Crest College and Central Penn College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1000–1230 at Cedar Crest College and 660–910 at Central Penn College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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