Academic Comparison between Penn State and Thomas Jefferson

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Thomas Jefferson 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 Thomas Jefferson is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Philadelphia, 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 Thomas Jefferson is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Thomas Jefferson has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,355) than Penn State ($41,790).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Thomas Jefferson.
  • Penn State has a higher submitted SAT score (1,330) than Thomas Jefferson (1,240).
  • Penn State has higher submitted ACT score (30) than Thomas Jefferson (27).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,737 students while Thomas Jefferson has 8,238 students.
  • Thomas Jefferson has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 4,174 faculties while Thomas Jefferson has 330 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.Thomas Jefferson University
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
2025 Tuition & Fees$47,355
50%% Receiving Financial Aid90%
$14,013Average Amount of Financial Aid$27,176
60.56 %Acceptance Rates80.97 %
17.11 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.15 %
1,330SAT Score1,240
30ACT Score27
86 %Graduation Rate69 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate23 %
93 %Retention Rate82 %
50,737Student Population8,238
4,174Number of Faculties330
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare