WSU vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

WSU vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or Penn State New Kensington? 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 Wayne State University than Penn State New Kensington ($14,416 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 6.7% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($14,252 vs. $15,274).
• Wayne State University is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $782 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at WSU than at Penn State New Kensington (about $7,903 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Penn State New Kensington (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 65.9% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($12,953 vs. $7,809).

WSU vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington and WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is 20 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Penn State New Kensington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

WSU vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,560 lower median loan debt than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($22,258 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($230 vs. $277).
• More Penn State New Kensington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 38%)

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.