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Lancaster Bible College vs Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Lancaster Bible College is a private college in Lancaster, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public university in University Park, PA. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus about 61%, making Lancaster Bible College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $25,480 a year at Lancaster Bible College after aid, and about $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. About 86% of students graduate at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, compared with 69% at Lancaster Bible College. Ten years after enrolling, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus alumni earn a median of about $63,435, against $44,096 for Lancaster Bible College.

Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster, PA · Private

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Lancaster, PA
University Park, PA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,569
42,284
Acceptance rate
56%
61%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–3.96
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1070–1280
1240–1420
ACT (middle 50%)
21–23
27–32
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,480
$32,875
Full cost / yr
$44,066
$39,694
In-state tuition
$29,990
$20,644
Out-of-state tuition
$29,990
$41,790
Application fee
$25
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$24,486
$19,845
$30k - $48k
$22,017
$20,049
$48k - $75k
$23,904
$25,667
$75k - $110k
$24,034
$31,834
Over $110k
$29,957
$37,831
Outcomes
Graduation rate
69%
86%
Freshman retention
79%
93%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$36,747
$55,620
Median earnings (10 yr)
$44,096
$63,435
Median debt at graduation
$20,500
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
35%
14%
First-generation students
35%
29%
International students
0%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 15
Nov 1
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 Lancaster Bible College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus harder to get into?
Lancaster Bible College is harder to get into. It admits about 56% of applicants, compared with 61% at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Lancaster Bible College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
Lancaster Bible College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $25,480 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. 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 Lancaster Bible College and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus costs about $39,694 a year and Lancaster Bible College about $44,066. 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, Lancaster Bible College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $19,845 there, against about $24,486 at Lancaster Bible College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Lancaster Bible College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is the larger of the two, with about 42,284 undergraduates against 1,569 at Lancaster Bible College.
Does Lancaster Bible College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus have a better graduation rate?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 69% at Lancaster Bible College.
Do graduates of Lancaster Bible College or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus alumni earn more on average: a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling, against about $44,096 for Lancaster Bible College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Lancaster Bible College and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
Lancaster Bible College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Lancaster Bible College and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1070–1280 at Lancaster Bible College and 1240–1420 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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