Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)
Estimated sticker price before financial aid.
Penn State
$208,552
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
Alabama
$178,000
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: Penn State = $157,872 | Alabama = $125,600. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.
Penn State Top Majors
EngineeringBusinessBiologyKinesiologyInformation SciencesAlabama Top Majors
BusinessNursingEngineeringCommunicationBiology
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penn State or Alabama harder to get into?+
Penn State is more selective with an acceptance rate of 54.0% compared to 80.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, Penn State or Alabama?+
At sticker price, Alabama costs less over 4 years ($178,000 vs $208,552). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Penn State offers an average of $12,670/year in aid while Alabama offers $13,100/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for Penn State and Alabama?+
The average SAT score at Penn State is 1300 and at Alabama it is 1260. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do Penn State or Alabama graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Penn State have a higher average starting salary ($65,400 vs $58,400). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
Penn State has a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Alabama has 19:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do Penn State and Alabama compare for campus life?+
Penn State is located in State College, Pennsylvania (rural setting) with a 5,000-acre campus. Alabama is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (suburban setting) with 1,168 acres. Penn State competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Alabama in NCAA D1.