Houghton University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare Houghton University in Houghton, NY with Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Erie Behrend College is larger than Houghton University based on total student enrollment (3,336 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houghton University 12:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton University or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Houghton University than Penn State Erie-Behrend College ($21,274 vs. $23,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 21.5% lower than at Penn State Erie Behrend College ($11,360 vs. $14,474).
• Houghton University is 15.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Erie-Behrend College (about $2,458 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.3% higher at Penn State Erie-Behrend College than at Houghton University (about $8,528 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($10,760 vs. $9,902).

Houghton University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Houghton University or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Houghton University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (1220).
• Incoming Houghton University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Erie-Behrend College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Houghton University (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Houghton University and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Erie Behrend College's (66%).
• Graduates from Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University graduates have a $1,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($25,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Houghton University graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Erie-Behrend College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.