Ursinus College vs Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Ursinus College is a private college in Collegeville, PA, and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Bloomsburg, PA. Ursinus College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 92% of applicants against 93% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,699 a year against $30,536 at Ursinus College. About 75% of students graduate at Ursinus College, compared with 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Ten years after enrolling, Ursinus College alumni earn a median of about $73,721, against $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Collegeville, PA
Bloomsburg, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,491
9,210
Acceptance rate
92%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.29–3.79
3.16–3.66
SAT (middle 50%)
1200–1385
990–1190
ACT (middle 50%)
28–32
18–25
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$30,536
$15,699
Full cost / yr
$76,815
$25,161
In-state tuition
$61,210
$11,046
Out-of-state tuition
$61,210
$22,870
Application fee
$0
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,622
$11,374
$30k - $48k
$24,154
$11,370
$48k - $75k
$28,815
$13,877
$75k - $110k
$31,326
$17,989
Over $110k
$33,625
$20,099
Outcomes
Graduation rate
75%
54%
Freshman retention
87%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,542
$44,053
Median earnings (10 yr)
$73,721
$52,416
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
32%
First-generation students
19%
34%
International students
0%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Dec 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 10
Not reported
Regular decision
Apr 1
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 Ursinus College or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
- Ursinus College is harder to get into. It admits about 92% of applicants, compared with 93% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Ursinus College or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,699 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,536 at Ursinus 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 Ursinus College and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Before aid, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania costs about $25,161 a year and Ursinus College about $76,815. 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, Ursinus College or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,374 there, against about $20,622 at Ursinus College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Ursinus College or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 9,210 undergraduates against 1,491 at Ursinus College.
- Does Ursinus College or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
- Ursinus College has the higher graduation rate, at about 75% against 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
- Do graduates of Ursinus College or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania earn more?
- Ursinus College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $73,721 ten years after enrolling, against about $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Ursinus College and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
- Ursinus College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Ursinus College and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1200–1385 at Ursinus College and 990–1190 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Ursinus College vs Swarthmore CollegeUrsinus College vs Haverford CollegeUrsinus College vs Franklin and Marshall CollegeCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs University of PennsylvaniaCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Carnegie Mellon UniversityCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Lehigh University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.
1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school