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Central Penn College vs University of Pennsylvania

Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA. University of Pennsylvania is a private university in Philadelphia, PA. University of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants and Central Penn College about 18%, making University of Pennsylvania the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,953 a year at Central Penn College after aid, and about $28,699 at University of Pennsylvania. About 97% of students graduate at University of Pennsylvania, compared with 43% at Central Penn College. Ten years after enrolling, University of Pennsylvania alumni earn a median of about $111,371, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.

Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA · Private (for-profit)

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private (for-profit)
Private
Location
Summerdale, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
662
10,650
Acceptance rate
18%
5%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
660–910
1510–1570
ACT (middle 50%)
13–17
34–36
Test policy
Test blind
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,953
$28,699
Full cost / yr
$27,116
$89,028
In-state tuition
$19,854
$68,686
Out-of-state tuition
$19,854
$68,686
Application fee
Not reported
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,859
$0*
$30k - $48k
$19,164
$316
$48k - $75k
$17,011
$10,439
$75k - $110k
$18,973
$25,476
Over $110k
$23,656
$55,972
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
97%
Freshman retention
65%
99%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$40,798
$90,555
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,370
$111,371
Median debt at graduation
$23,194
$15,715
Student body
Pell grant recipients
49%
17%
First-generation students
51%
19%
International students
4%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Jan 5

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

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 University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 18% 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.
Which is cheaper, Central Penn College or University of Pennsylvania?
Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,699 at University of Pennsylvania. 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 University of Pennsylvania?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and University of Pennsylvania about $89,028. 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 University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-3,012 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 University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 10,650 undergraduates against 662 at Central Penn College.
Does Central Penn College or University of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 43% at Central Penn College.
Do graduates of Central Penn College or University of Pennsylvania earn more?
University of Pennsylvania alumni earn more on average: a median of about $111,371 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 University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of Pennsylvania requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Central Penn College and University of Pennsylvania look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 660–910 at Central Penn College and 1510–1570 at University of Pennsylvania. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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