Valpo vs. Penn State Shenango

Comparable Facts

Compare Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN with Penn State Shenango in Sharon, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Valparaiso University is larger than Penn State Shenango based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Shenango is in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Shenango is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Penn State Shenango 7:1.

Valpo vs. Penn State Shenango Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo or Penn State Shenango? 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 Shenango than Valpo ($18,383 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valparaiso University are 10.8% lower than at Penn State Shenango ($13,618 vs. $15,274).
• Valparaiso University is 245.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Shenango (about $34,426 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $14,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.6% higher at Valpo than at Penn State Shenango (about $24,890 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $23,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at Penn State Shenango (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 319% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($37,548 vs. $8,962).

Valpo vs. Penn State Shenango Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo or Penn State Shenango? 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 Shenango and Valpo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valparaiso University (1170) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Shenango (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Penn State Shenango 1040/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Penn State Shenango - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than Valpo (89.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 28% at Penn State Shenango.

Valpo vs. Penn State Shenango Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo and Penn State Shenango? 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).

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Penn State Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Valpo graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Shenango graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Shenango graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Shenango 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.