Penn State Abington vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Abington in Abington, PA with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shenandoah University is larger than Penn State Abington based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Abington is located in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Abington 14:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Penn State Abington vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Abington or SU? 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 Abington than SU ($19,232 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 13.7% lower than at Penn State Abington ($12,490 vs. $14,474).
• Shenandoah University is 142% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Abington (about $21,682 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $15,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44% higher at SU than at Penn State Abington (about $11,286 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $25,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Penn State Abington (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 150.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($24,747 vs. $9,883).

Penn State Abington vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Abington or SU? 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 SU and Penn State Abington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Abington (1170) is 50 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming Penn State Abington students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Abington 1070/1265; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Abington 23/27; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Abington - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Penn State Abington (3.42).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Abington vs. 16.7% at SU.

Penn State Abington vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Abington and SU? 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).

• Shenandoah University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Abington earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Abington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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.