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College Comparison

Penn State vs Drexel University: Which is Better?

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

School

Penn State

University Park, PA

School

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricPenn StateDrexel
Acceptance Rate54.2%wins77.5%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1220–14001230–1430wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)27–3227–33
Tuition (Out-of-State)$40,188wins$60,663
Avg Net Price$32,598wins$38,428
Median Earnings (10 yr)$63,435$84,648wins
Graduation Rate85.7%wins77.1%
Retention Rate92.0%wins89.6%
Student–Faculty Ratio15:19:1wins
Total Enrollment41,862wins13,509

Verdict

Based on the data above, Penn State edges out Drexel on 6 of 9 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.

Penn State Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 54.2%
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,188
  • Avg Net Price: $32,598
  • Graduation Rate: 85.7%

Drexel Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1230–1430
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $84,648
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 9:1

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