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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington vs Pennsylvania Western University

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington is a public university in New Kensington, PA, and Pennsylvania Western University is a public university in California, PA. Pennsylvania Western University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 94% of applicants against 95% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. Pennsylvania Western University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,256 a year against $18,305 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. About 51% of students graduate at Pennsylvania Western University, 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 $47,295 for Pennsylvania Western University.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington

New Kensington, PA · Public

Pennsylvania Western University

California, PA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
New Kensington, PA
California, PA
Setting
Rural
Suburban
Undergraduates
416
7,451
Acceptance rate
95%
94%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.19–3.69
3.14–3.64
SAT (middle 50%)
1110–1265
940–1140
ACT (middle 50%)
25–27
17–25
Test policy
Considered
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,305
$18,256
Full cost / yr
$26,863
$26,916
In-state tuition
$14,408
$11,436
Out-of-state tuition
$24,134
$16,054
Application fee
$65
$35
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,541
$13,944
$30k - $48k
$13,323
$14,171
$48k - $75k
$17,589
$16,517
$75k - $110k
$21,666
$20,633
Over $110k
$23,654
$23,272
Outcomes
Graduation rate
26%
51%
Freshman retention
85%
72%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$55,620
$38,474
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,435
$47,295
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$23,725
Student body
Pell grant recipients
32%
38%
First-generation students
29%
37%
International students
1%
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 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington or Pennsylvania Western University harder to get into?
Pennsylvania Western University is harder to get into. It admits about 94% 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, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington or Pennsylvania Western University?
Pennsylvania Western University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,256 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,305 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.
What is the full cost of attendance at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington and Pennsylvania Western University?
Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington costs about $26,863 a year and Pennsylvania Western University about $26,916. 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, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington or Pennsylvania Western University?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,541 there, against about $13,944 at Pennsylvania Western University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington or Pennsylvania Western University?
Pennsylvania Western University is the larger of the two, with about 7,451 undergraduates against 416 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington.
Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington or Pennsylvania Western University have a better graduation rate?
Pennsylvania Western University has the higher graduation rate, at about 51% against 26% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington.
Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington or Pennsylvania Western University 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 $47,295 for Pennsylvania Western University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington and Pennsylvania Western University require SAT or ACT scores?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Pennsylvania Western University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington and Pennsylvania Western University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1110–1265 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington and 940–1140 at Pennsylvania Western University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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