When choosing a college, it’s essential to compare and contrast the characteristics of different schools to find the perfect fit for your needs. In this article, we’ll be comparing two universities – Stevens Institute of Technology and Penn State University – to help you make an informed decision. We’ll provide an overview of each school, delve into their costs and tuition, admissions process, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni network, rankings, and outcomes.
Stevens Overview
Stevens Institute of Technology, located in Hoboken, New Jersey, is a private research university known for its strong emphasis on engineering, science, and technology. Established in 1870, the institute offers undergraduate and graduate degrees within four schools – the Charles V. Schaefer Jr. School of Engineering and Science, the School of Systems and Enterprises, the School of Business, and the College of Arts and Letters.
Stevens Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, Stevens’ undergraduate tuition and fees are approximately $54,014. Room and board costs around $16,500, bringing the total cost of attendance to around $70,514 per year. Financial aid is available in the forms of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities for eligible students.
Stevens Admissions
The admissions process at Stevens is considered moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 42%. Prospective students need to submit their high school transcript, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), and letters of recommendation. A personal essay and an optional interview are also part of the application process.
Stevens Degrees Offered
Stevens offers over 30 undergraduate majors and 40 master’s and Ph.D. programs within its four schools. Some popular undergraduate majors include mechanical engineering, computer science, and civil engineering. For graduate students, popular programs include engineering management, financial engineering, and computer science.
Stevens Academics
Stevens boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, providing students with personal attention from professors and opportunities for research and collaboration. The school is known for its strong focus on engineering, technology, and innovation, as well as its emphasis on entrepreneurship and real-world application of knowledge.
Stevens Diversity
Stevens has a diverse student body, with 19% of the undergraduate population identifying as underrepresented minorities. The campus also hosts various clubs and organizations that promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment, such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers.
Stevens Students
Stevens’ campus is home to approximately 3,300 undergraduate and 3,100 graduate students. The campus offers a vibrant student life, with over 100 clubs, organizations, and Greek life opportunities for students to engage in. Athletics are also a crucial part of the student experience, with 26 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division III.
Stevens Campus
The 55-acre Stevens campus is located in Hoboken, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. The urban setting provides students with numerous professional and cultural opportunities. The campus itself features state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Hanlon Financial Systems Center, the Babbio Center for Technology Management, and the Gateway Academic Center.
Stevens Alumni
Stevens alumni have made significant contributions to various industries, including technology, engineering, and business. Notable alumni include Frederick Winslow Taylor, the father of scientific management; Alfred Fielding, the co-inventor of Bubble Wrap; and John J. Tracy, former CTO of Boeing.
Stevens Rankings
Stevens is consistently ranked among the top national universities. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Stevens was ranked #83 among national universities and #34 for best undergraduate engineering programs.
Stevens Outcomes
Stevens has a strong track record of preparing students for successful careers, with a 96% placement rate for graduates within six months of graduation. Additionally, the median starting salary for Stevens alumni is $75,500, according to Payscale.
Penn State University Overview
Penn State University, located in University Park, Pennsylvania, is a large public research institution founded in 1855. With over 20 campuses and a robust online learning platform, Penn State offers a plethora of academic options for its diverse student population. The university is made up of 13 colleges, including the highly regarded College of Engineering, Smeal College of Business, and College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
Penn State Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the base in-state tuition and fees at Penn State University are approximately $18,450. Out-of-state students can expect to pay around $35,514 in tuition and fees. Room and board costs roughly $11,570, bringing the total cost of attendance to approximately $30,020 for in-state students and $47,084 for out-of-state students. Financial aid is available in the forms of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities for eligible students.
Penn State Admissions
Admissions at Penn State are considered moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 56%. Prospective students must submit their high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Some programs may have additional requirements, such as auditions or portfolios.
Penn State Degrees Offered
Penn State offers over 275 undergraduate majors, as well as a wide range of graduate and professional degree programs. Popular undergraduate majors include business, engineering, and health professions. At the graduate level, popular programs include engineering, education, and business.
Penn State Academics
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, Penn State provides a supportive learning environment for its students. The university is known for its strong focus on research, with over $1 billion in annual research expenditures. It also offers numerous opportunities for undergraduate research and collaboration with faculty members.
Penn State Diversity
Penn State has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 130 countries. The university is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment, with numerous resources, clubs, and programs that support underrepresented students.
Penn State Students
Penn State’s University Park campus is home to approximately 40,000 undergraduate students and 6,000 graduate students. Campus life is bustling, with over 1,000 clubs, organizations, and Greek life opportunities available for students to engage in. The university has a strong athletic program, with 31 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division I.
Penn State Campus
The University Park campus spans 7,958 acres, with a mix of historic buildings and modern facilities. The campus is home to numerous research centers, state-of-the-art laboratories, and cultural venues, such as the Bryce Jordan Center and the Palmer Museum of Art.
Penn State Alumni
Penn State alumni have made significant contributions to various industries, including business, engineering, and entertainment. Notable alumni include John Cappelletti, a former NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner; Keegan Michael-Key, an actor and comedian; and Rodney Erickson, a former president of Penn State University.
Penn State Rankings
Penn State consistently ranks among the top national universities. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Penn State was ranked #63 among national universities and #26 for best undergraduate engineering programs.
Penn State Outcomes
Penn State has a strong record of preparing students for successful careers, with a 93% placement rate for graduates within six months of graduation. Additionally, the median starting salary for Penn State alumni is $60,500, according to Payscale.
Stevens vs Penn State Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending Stevens and Penn State, there are significant differences for both in-state and out-of-state students. For in-state students, Penn State is the more affordable option, with a total cost of attendance of around $30,020 per year, compared to Stevens’ $70,514 per year. For out-of-state students, Penn State is also more affordable, with a total cost of attendance of around $47,084 per year, compared to Stevens’ $70,514 per year.
Stevens vs Penn State Admissions Difficulty
Both Stevens and Penn State have moderately competitive admissions processes, with acceptance rates of 42% and 56% respectively. While both schools require similar application materials, Stevens has a slightly more competitive admissions process, given its lower acceptance rate.
Stevens vs Penn State Academic Difficulty
Both Stevens and Penn State are known for their strong emphasis on academics and research. While Stevens focuses primarily on engineering, technology, and innovation, Penn State offers a broader range of academic disciplines and opportunities for research. Both schools have similar student-to-faculty ratios, providing personalized attention from professors and fostering collaborative learning environments.
Stevens vs Penn State Outcome Comparison
When comparing the outcomes of Stevens and Penn State graduates, both schools have high placement rates within six months of graduation (96% for Stevens and 93% for Penn State). However, Stevens alumni tend to have a higher median starting salary ($75,500) compared to Penn State alumni ($60,500). While both schools offer strong academic programs and resources to prepare students for successful careers, Stevens appears to have a slight edge in terms of graduate outcomes.
