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Central Penn College vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto

Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA, and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto is a public university in Mont Alto, PA. Central Penn College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 18% of applicants against 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. Central Penn College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,953 a year against $19,454 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. About 43% of students graduate at Central Penn College, compared with 29% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. Ten years after enrolling, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto alumni earn a median of about $63,435, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.

Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA · Private (for-profit)

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto

Mont Alto, PA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private (for-profit)
Public
Location
Summerdale, PA
Mont Alto, PA
Setting
Suburban
Rural
Undergraduates
662
559
Acceptance rate
18%
98%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
660–910
980–1300
ACT (middle 50%)
13–17
22–27
Test policy
Test blind
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,953
$19,454
Full cost / yr
$27,116
$28,841
In-state tuition
$19,854
$14,408
Out-of-state tuition
$19,854
$24,134
Application fee
Not reported
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,859
$15,811
$30k - $48k
$19,164
$13,306
$48k - $75k
$17,011
$15,334
$75k - $110k
$18,973
$21,654
Over $110k
$23,656
$24,009
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
29%
Freshman retention
65%
83%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$40,798
$55,620
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,370
$63,435
Median debt at graduation
$23,194
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
49%
27%
First-generation students
51%
29%
International students
4%
1%
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 Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto harder to get into?
Central Penn College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto?
Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,454 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. 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 Central Penn College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto about $28,841. 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, Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,811 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, Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto?
Central Penn College is the larger of the two, with about 662 undergraduates against 559 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto.
Does Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto have a better graduation rate?
Central Penn College has the higher graduation rate, at about 43% against 29% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto.
Do graduates of Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto alumni earn more on average: a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,370 for Central Penn College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Central Penn College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto require SAT or ACT scores?
Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Central Penn College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 660–910 at Central Penn College and 980–1300 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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