Caldwell University vs. Penn State

Caldwell University and Penn State Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Caldwell University
Penn State Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Penn State (60.6% admitted vs 71.3%). Typical SAT 1330 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caldwell University. Average net price is $21,875 vs $27,889 at Penn State.
  • Graduation: Caldwell University 58% vs Penn State 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caldwell University $46,800 vs Penn State $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Caldwell University Penn State Main Campus
Acceptance rate
Penn State more selective
Caldwell University71.3%
Penn State60.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn State higher
Caldwell University1130-1370
Penn State1240-1420
Average net price
Caldwell University $6,014 less
Caldwell University$21,875
Penn State$27,889
In-state tuition
Penn State $20,204 less
Caldwell University$40,848
Penn State$20,644
Out-of-state tuition
Caldwell University $942 less
Caldwell University$40,848
Penn State$41,790
Graduation rate
Penn State +29 pts
Caldwell University58%
Penn State87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn State +$8,500
Caldwell University$46,800
Penn State$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Caldwell University 9,364
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • Caldwell University 6,680
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caldwell University 71.3%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caldwell University 8.5%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caldwell University 1250
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caldwell University
  • Penn State 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caldwell University 3.3
  • Penn State -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caldwell University B+
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions standards
  • Caldwell University Difficult
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Caldwell University Low
  • Penn State Low
  • SAT range
  • Caldwell University 1130-1370
  • Penn State 1240-1420
  • ACT range
  • Caldwell University
  • Penn State 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Caldwell University Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caldwell University
  • Penn State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caldwell University $40,848
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caldwell University $40,848
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & board
  • Caldwell University $14,188
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Caldwell University $21,875
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average grant aid
  • Caldwell University $32,340
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caldwell University 100%
  • Penn State 37%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caldwell University 58%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caldwell University $46,800
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caldwell University 50%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caldwell University $25,750
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Caldwell University $266
  • Penn State $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caldwell University 12:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caldwell University
    • Business (20%)
    • Psychology (19%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Caldwell University Caldwell, NJ
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • Caldwell University Large Suburban
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Caldwell University 2,005
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • Caldwell University Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caldwell University #439
  • Penn State #185

Comparable Facts

Compare Caldwell University in Caldwell, NJ with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than Caldwell University based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 2,005 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Caldwell University is located in Caldwell, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • Caldwell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Caldwell University 12:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Caldwell University are 2% lower than at Penn State Main Campus ($14,188 vs. $14,474).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Penn State than at Caldwell University (about $942 more per year; $41,790 vs. $40,848).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Caldwell University than at Penn State Main Campus (100% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Caldwell University students is 185.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($32,340 vs. $11,336).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Caldwell University and Penn State.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Caldwell University vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Caldwell University graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Caldwell University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State graduates ($266 vs. $277).
  • More Penn State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Caldwell University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 50%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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