Central Penn College vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington
Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA, and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington is a public university in New Kensington, PA. Central Penn College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 18% of applicants against 95% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,305 a year against $18,953 at Central Penn College. About 43% of students graduate at Central Penn College, compared with 26% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. Ten years after enrolling, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington alumni earn a median of about $63,435, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.
At a glance
Type
Private (for-profit)
Public
Location
Summerdale, PA
New Kensington, PA
Setting
Suburban
Rural
Undergraduates
662
416
Acceptance rate
18%
95%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
660–910
1110–1265
ACT (middle 50%)
13–17
25–27
Test policy
Test blind
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,953
$18,305
Full cost / yr
$27,116
$26,863
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
$11,541
$30k - $48k
$19,164
$13,323
$48k - $75k
$17,011
$17,589
$75k - $110k
$18,973
$21,666
Over $110k
$23,656
$23,654
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
26%
Freshman retention
65%
85%
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%
32%
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.
- Is Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington harder to get into?
- Central Penn College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 95% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. 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 New Kensington?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,305 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 Central Penn College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington costs about $26,863 a year and Central Penn College about $27,116. 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 New Kensington?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,541 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 New Kensington?
- Central Penn College is the larger of the two, with about 662 undergraduates against 416 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington.
- Does Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington have a better graduation rate?
- Central Penn College has the higher graduation rate, at about 43% against 26% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington.
- Do graduates of Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington earn more?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
- What SAT scores do Central Penn College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 660–910 at Central Penn College and 1110–1265 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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