University of Dayton vs. Penn State

Deciding between University of Dayton and Penn State Main Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Dayton
Penn State Main Campus

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Penn State #185
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Penn State -
  • Status
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Penn State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Dayton
  • Penn State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & Board
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Penn State 37%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Penn State 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Penn State -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Penn State Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • Penn State 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Penn State 1240/1420
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Penn State

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Penn State $277

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • Penn State 52%
  • % Women
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Penn State 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Penn State Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Dayton No
  • Penn State No
  • % White
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • Penn State 69%
  • % Asian
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Black
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Penn State 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • Penn State 3%
  • % International
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • Penn State 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Penn State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • Penn State 53%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • Penn State 40%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Dayton No
  • Penn State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Penn State Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Dayton in Dayton, OH with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Dayton is located in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Dayton 14:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

University of Dayton vs. Penn State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dayton or Penn State? 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 Main Campus than University of Dayton ($27,889 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 13.8% lower than at University of Dayton ($14,474 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 138% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State (about $28,496 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $20,644.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at University of Dayton than at Penn State Main Campus (about $7,350 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $41,790.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at Penn State Main Campus (95% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 194.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($33,418 vs. $11,336).

University of Dayton vs. Penn State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Dayton or Penn State? 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 and University of Dayton.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Main Campus (1330) is 40 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Penn State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 1200/1380; Penn State Main Campus 1240/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 25/31; Penn State Main Campus 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Dayton - Test optional; Penn State - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Penn State (60.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at University of Dayton vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

University of Dayton vs. Penn State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Dayton and Penn State? 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).

  • Penn State Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Penn State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Dayton graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, University of Dayton graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State graduates ($268 vs. $277).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.