Academic Comparison between Penn State and Grove City

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Grove City College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State is a four-year, public school located in University Park, PA and Grove City is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Grove City, 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 Grove City is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Penn State has more expensive tuition & fees ($41,790) than Grove City ($21,700).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Grove City.
  • Penn State has a higher submitted SAT score (1,330) than Grove City (1,265).
  • Penn State has higher submitted ACT score (30) than Grove City (27).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,737 students while Grove City has 2,383 students.
  • Grove City has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 16 to 1.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.Grove City College
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationGrove City, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
2025 Tuition & Fees$21,700
50%% Receiving Financial Aid68%
$14,013Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,950
60.56 %Acceptance Rates72.32 %
17.11 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)37.29 %
1,330SAT Score1,265
30ACT Score27
86 %Graduation Rate83 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate7 %
93 %Retention Rate88 %
50,737Student Population2,383
4,174Number of Faculties-
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services