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Central Penn College vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York

Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA, and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York is a public university in York, PA. Central Penn College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 18% of applicants against 97% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. Central Penn College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,953 a year against $19,047 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. About 43% of students graduate at Central Penn College, compared with 14% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. Ten years after enrolling, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York 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 York

York, PA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private (for-profit)
Public
Location
Summerdale, PA
York, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
662
668
Acceptance rate
18%
97%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
660–910
1050–1245
ACT (middle 50%)
13–17
22–28
Test policy
Test blind
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,953
$19,047
Full cost / yr
$27,116
$27,826
In-state tuition
$19,854
$15,208
Out-of-state tuition
$19,854
$25,392
Application fee
Not reported
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,859
$11,582
$30k - $48k
$19,164
$11,156
$48k - $75k
$17,011
$16,261
$75k - $110k
$18,973
$20,054
Over $110k
$23,656
$24,411
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
14%
Freshman retention
65%
77%
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%
30%
First-generation students
51%
29%
International students
4%
5%
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 York harder to get into?
Central Penn College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 97% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. 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 York?
Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,047 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. 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 York?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York about $27,826. 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 York?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,582 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 York?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York is the larger of the two, with about 668 undergraduates against 662 at Central Penn College.
Does Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York have a better graduation rate?
Central Penn College has the higher graduation rate, at about 43% against 14% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York.
Do graduates of Central Penn College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York 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 York 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 York considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Central Penn College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 660–910 at Central Penn College and 1050–1245 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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