Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and PA College

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, PA and PA College is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lancaster, 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 Behrend is a public and PA College is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • PA College has more expensive tuition & fees ($32,933) than Penn State Behrend ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to PA College than Penn State Behrend.
  • Penn State Behrend has more students with 3,336 students while PA College has 1,439 students.
  • PA College has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Behrend's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Penn State Behrend has more full-time faculties with 256 faculties while PA College has 74 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationLancaster, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationOther health professions school
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$32,933
74%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,997
96.83 %Acceptance Rates41.21 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)40.76 %
1,220SAT Score-
27ACT Score-
44 %Graduation Rate69 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate11 %
83 %Retention Rate81 %
3,336Student Population1,439
256Number of Faculties74
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services