Academic Comparison between Penn State and Susquehanna

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Susquehanna 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 Susquehanna is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Selinsgrove, 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 Susquehanna is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Susquehanna has more expensive tuition & fees ($59,850) than Penn State ($41,790).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Susquehanna.
  • Penn State has a higher submitted SAT score (1,330) than Susquehanna (1,230).
  • Penn State has higher submitted ACT score (30) than Susquehanna (26).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,737 students while Susquehanna has 2,255 students.
  • Susquehanna has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 4,174 faculties while Susquehanna has 141 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.Susquehanna University
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationSelinsgrove, 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 - Arts & Sciences
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
2025 Tuition & Fees$59,850
50%% Receiving Financial Aid94%
$14,013Average Amount of Financial Aid$45,966
60.56 %Acceptance Rates81.43 %
17.11 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.59 %
1,330SAT Score1,230
30ACT Score26
86 %Graduation Rate82 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate-
93 %Retention Rate86 %
50,737Student Population2,255
4,174Number of Faculties141
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), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare