PU vs Penn State

Compare two rival schools - Purdue University-Main Campus and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus with tuition and admission information where PU is a four-years, public located in West Lafayette, IN and Penn State is a four-years, public located in University Park, PA.
The next list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare two colleges with comprehensive information on the full comparison page.
  • Both schools are four-years, public schools.
  • Penn State has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,188) than PU ($28,794).
  • It is harder to admit to PU than Penn State.
  • PU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,320) than Penn State (1,310).
  • PU has higher submitted ACT score (31) than Penn State (29).
  • PU has more students with 51,528 students while Penn State has 50,028 students.
  • PU has a lower number of students per faculty with 14 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 2,994 faculties while PU has 2,039 full-time faculties.
The following table compares the two rival schools - Purdue University-Main Campus and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
PUvs.Penn State
West Lafayette, IndianaLocationUniversity Park, Pennsylvania
Four-years, PublicSchool Typefour-years, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$9,992
Out-Of-State$28,794
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$20,234
Out-Of-State$40,188
45%% Receiving Financial Aid56%
$9,819Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,574
50.00 %Acceptance Rates54.00 %
26.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)19.00 %
1,320SAT Score1,310
31ACT Score29
83 %Graduation Rate83 %
-Transfer-out Rate1 %
90 %Retention Rate91 %
51,528Student Population50,028
2,039Number of Faculties2,994
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio15 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services