Houghton University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Houghton University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (1,200 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houghton University 12:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than Houghton University ($16,621 vs. $21,274).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 25.6% lower than at Penn State Wilkes Barre ($11,360 vs. $15,274).
• Houghton University is 29.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $4,150 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at Penn State Wilkes-Barre than at Houghton University (about $5,576 more per year; $24,006.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houghton University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($9,902 vs. $9,742).

Houghton University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Houghton University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes-Barre and Houghton University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 60 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Houghton University (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Houghton University and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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.