IU-Bloomington vs The Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
Indiana University-Bloomington and The Pennsylvania State University, two prominent public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Indiana University, with an acceptance rate of 79%, boasts a diverse student body, with 44% female and 56% male students. On the other hand, Penn State, with a slightly lower acceptance rate of 74%, has a more balanced gender ratio, with 49% female and 51% male students. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors in business, engineering, and health sciences. However, Penn State has a higher graduation rate of 86% compared to Indiana University's 81%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two esteemed institutions. Dive into the details to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Indiana University-Bloomington |
![]() The Pennsylvania State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Bloomington, Indiana | University Park, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 90.0% | 87.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.0% | 92.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 1160 - 1380 | 1140 - 1360 |
ACT range | 26 - 32 | 25 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 39.0% | 32.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 6.0% |
Total number of applicants | 46,498 | 96,686 |
Total number of admissions given out | 39,543 | 89,207 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 9,482 | 16,049 |
Yield rate | 24.0% | 18.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$27,299
Out of state:
$54,318
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In state:
$38,270
Out of state:
$55,848
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Average net price | $13,386 | $24,012 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,913
Out of state:
$36,932
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In state:
$18,368
Out of state:
$35,946
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,798
Meal plan:
$4,300
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Room/dormitory:
$7,360
Meal plan:
$5,618
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
67.0%
Average amount $11,608 |
51.0%
Average amount $9,884 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
30.0%
Average amount $5,040 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,305 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $19,336 |
13.0%
Average amount $19,837 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
34,253
Men 50.1% Women 49.9% |
73,476
Men 53.7% Women 46.3% |
Graduate students |
11,075
Men 53.1% Women 46.9% |
15,438
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 43.6% | 34.1% |
International students | 10.4% | 10.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 13,484 | 20,547 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Indiana Illinois New Jersey California New York | Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 80.8% | 72.3% |
Dropout rate | 7.9% | 25.7% |
Transferred out | 10.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Human Computer Interaction (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (First Professional Degrees)
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Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Associate's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Nuclear Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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