Academic Comparison between Penn State and Gannon

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Gannon University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State is a four-year, public school located in University Park, PA and Gannon is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Erie, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State is a public and Gannon is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Penn State has more expensive tuition & fees ($41,790) than Gannon ($40,656).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Gannon.
  • Penn State has more students with 50,737 students while Gannon has 4,189 students.
  • Gannon has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 4,174 faculties while Gannon has 238 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.Gannon University
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationErie, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
2025 Tuition & Fees$40,656
50%% Receiving Financial Aid75%
$14,013Average Amount of Financial Aid$28,009
60.56 %Acceptance Rates74.16 %
17.11 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.41 %
1,330SAT Score-
30ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate66 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
93 %Retention Rate76 %
50,737Student Population4,189
4,174Number of Faculties238
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 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, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services