Trinity College vs. Penn State

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

Trinity College
Penn State Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Trinity College (29.2% admitted vs 60.6%). Typical SAT 1380 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State. Average net price is $27,889 vs $36,071 at Trinity College.
  • Graduation: Trinity College 86% vs Penn State 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Trinity College $71,500 vs Penn State $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Trinity College Penn State Main Campus
Acceptance rate
Trinity College more selective
Trinity College29.2%
Penn State60.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Trinity College higher
Trinity College1298-1470
Penn State1240-1420
Average net price
Penn State $8,182 less
Trinity College$36,071
Penn State$27,889
In-state tuition
Penn State $50,126 less
Trinity College$70,770
Penn State$20,644
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State $28,980 less
Trinity College$70,770
Penn State$41,790
Graduation rate
Penn State +1 pts
Trinity College86%
Penn State87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Trinity College +$16,200
Trinity College$71,500
Penn State$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Trinity College 7,460
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • Trinity College 2,182
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance rate
  • Trinity College 29.2%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Trinity College 24.8%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Trinity College 1380
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Trinity College 32
  • Penn State 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Trinity College 3.8
  • Penn State -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Trinity College A-
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions standards
  • Trinity College Exceptional
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Trinity College High
  • Penn State Low
  • SAT range
  • Trinity College 1298-1470
  • Penn State 1240-1420
  • ACT range
  • Trinity College 30-34
  • Penn State 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Trinity College Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Trinity College Jan 17, 2027
  • Penn State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Trinity College $70,770
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Trinity College $70,770
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & board
  • Trinity College $18,890
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Trinity College $36,071
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average grant aid
  • Trinity College $51,754
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Trinity College 73%
  • Penn State 37%
  • Graduation rate
  • Trinity College 86%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Trinity College $71,500
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Trinity College 81%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Trinity College $21,000
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Trinity College $217
  • Penn State $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Trinity College 9:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Trinity College
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Trinity College Hartford, CT
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • Trinity College Midsize City
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Trinity College 2,238
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • Trinity College Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Trinity College #47
  • Penn State #185

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT 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 Trinity College based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 2,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • Trinity College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity College 9:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 23.4% lower than at Trinity College ($14,474 vs. $18,890).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 69.3% higher at Trinity College than at Penn State Main Campus (about $28,980 more per year; $70,770 vs. $41,790).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at Penn State Main Campus (73% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity College students is 356.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($51,754 vs. $11,336).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Trinity College than at Penn State (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Trinity College and Penn State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity College graduates have a $5,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Trinity College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State graduates ($217 vs. $277).
  • More Trinity College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State students, three years after graduation (81% vs. 69%).

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

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