Alfred State College vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College of Technology at Alfred in Alfred, NY with Penn State Abington in Abington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is larger than Penn State Abington based on total student enrollment (3,781 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is located in Alfred, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 16:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

Alfred State College vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred State College or Penn State Abington? 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 SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than Penn State Abington ($15,283 vs. $19,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Abington are 1% lower than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred ($14,474 vs. $14,624).
• Penn State Abington is 71.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alfred State College (about $6,376 more per year; $15,268.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.4% higher at Penn State Abington than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (about $8,827 more per year; $25,664.00 vs. $16,837.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than at Penn State Abington (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY College of Technology at Alfred students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($9,966 vs. $9,883).

Alfred State College vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Abington (1170) is 70 points higher than at Alfred State College (1100).
• Incoming Penn State Abington students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Alfred State College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 990/1200; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 20/24; Penn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alfred State College - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Abington students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Alfred State College (3.1).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Alfred State College (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Alfred State College vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

Alfred State College vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Abington earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than Alfred State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred graduates have a $11,944 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($14,874 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Alfred State College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($153 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Abington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alfred State College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.