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College Comparison

Emory University vs Penn State: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

School

Penn State

University Park, PA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricEmoryPenn State
Acceptance Rate11.1%wins54.2%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1460–1550wins1220–1400
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–34wins27–32
Tuition (Out-of-State)$60,774$40,188wins
Avg Net Price$23,911wins$32,598
Median Earnings (10 yr)$80,137wins$63,435
Graduation Rate91.8%wins85.7%
Retention Rate96.2%wins92.0%
Student–Faculty Ratio9:1wins15:1
Total Enrollment7,27541,862wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Emory edges out Penn State on 8 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Emory Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 11.1%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1550
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 32–34
  • Avg Net Price: $23,911

Penn State Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,188
  • Total Enrollment: 41,862

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