Explore alternatives based on outcomes, location, cost, and admission difficulty
While Penn State's 80.3% acceptance rate makes it accessible to most prepared students, some applicants may seek additional options with different characteristics or improved admission odds.
These schools offer higher acceptance rates while delivering comparable career outcomes.
For similar outcomes with even better admission prospects, consider Lebanon Valley College (74.5% acceptance, $62,621 median earnings) located 78 miles away. Elizabethtown College admits 76.8% of applicants while producing graduates earning $62,399, just 80 miles from Penn State. Both institutions offer comparable earnings outcomes with slightly higher acceptance rates and smaller class sizes typical of private colleges.
Strong options in the same region with comparable academic profiles.
Students wanting to remain in Pennsylvania should consider Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, which admits 94.8% of applicants and costs $1,949 less annually. Located 75 miles away, Commonwealth University serves similar student populations with more accessible admission and lower costs, though graduates earn $11,019 less annually at $52,416.
Elite universities with similar prestige and academic caliber
