Understanding Penn State Behrend Tuition Costs
Planning for college expenses is a crucial part of the application process. Understanding the costs associated with attending Penn State Behrend, along with available financial aid options, is the first step in managing college costs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of tuition, fees, and other expenses at Penn State Behrend, along with strategies for managing those costs.
Tuition and Fees: An Overview
Tuition at Penn State is assessed based on several factors, including:
- Residency status (resident or non-resident)
- Campus location
- Academic level (associate, lower, upper, or graduate)
- Major (in some cases)
- Credit load
For undergraduate students, tuition is charged per credit up to 12 credits. A flat tuition rate applies for students taking 12 - 19 credits. Students taking more than 19 credits are charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
Published Tuition Rates
Pennsylvania State University -- Behrend's tuition is $15,972 for in-state students and $26,958 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,436, Pennsylvania State University -- Behrend is more expensive. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is cheaper than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,815.
These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers.
Read also: Understanding Penn State Requirements
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes billable and non-billable expenses for attending Penn State for one academic year. In addition to tuition and fees, the COA includes other elements, represented as per-semester costs for Fall or Spring.
At Pennsylvania State University -- Behrend, the total cost is $37,586 for in-state students and $48,572 for out-of-state students.
The chart below shows estimated direct costs for a full-time first- or second-year student during the academic year. Final tuition and fees for each coming academic year are determined by the Board of Trustees each July.
| Pennsylvania Resident | Non-Pennsylvania Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $15,972 | $26,958 |
| Housing and Food | $14,474 | $14,474 |
| Average Total Costs | $30,446 | $41,432 |
Tuition, fees, housing, and food are billed by semester. Housing and food rates may vary depending on the type of room and meal plan chosen.
The Behrend Advantage: Lower Cost, Higher Value
Penn State Behrend is part of a public university that’s committed to affordability. That means our tuition is considerably lower than the tuition of most private institutions. Some schools use tuition discounting to try to match Penn State Behrend's lower tuition. They may refer to this effort to reduce their tuition as a scholarship. The chart below shows one possible cost comparison between Penn State Behrend and a typical private school in the region. You'll note that Penn State Behrend remains the more affordable option even after tuition discounting by the sample private school.
Read also: A Look at Penn State's Enrollment Numbers
| Penn State Behrend | Typical Regional Private School | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees/Housing and Food | $30,446 | $49,700 |
| Tuition Discount | -$14,000 | |
| Financial Aid: Scholarship | -$4,000 | -$3,000 |
| Financial Aid: Federal/State Grants | -$7,500 | -$7,500 |
| Federal Stafford Loan | -$5,500 | -$5,500 |
| Annual Out-of-Pocket Costs | $13,446 | $19,700 |
This comparison illustrates one possible scenario. Your actual package may differ based on your specific financial need and level of merit-based aid. Rates for Penn State Behrend represent in-state tuition.
A Value Proposition
In addition to the lower base tuition, consider these benefits of Penn State Behrend:
- The Power of Penn State: Behrend students earn degrees from a University ranked in the top 100 worldwide, according to 2024 QS World University rankings. As graduates, they become part of one of the country's largest alumni networks. Penn State is a name that opens doors-anywhere you go.
- Time to Graduation: The single biggest factor in managing the cost of your education is managing the time it takes to complete it.
Net Price and Financial Aid
The average reported annual net price for Penn State Erie Behrend College for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $20,964 in 2019/2020. The net price provides a more realistic estimate of the true cost of attending Penn State Erie Behrend College, once common grants and scholarships have been taken into account. It's important to note that your net price will fluctuate based on factors such as family income, assets and individual financial need.
66% of full-time undergrad Penn State Erie Behrend College received financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, fellowships from the institution or from Federal, State or local government agencies. This aid averaged $10,930 per student during the 2019/2020 school year. Grant and scholarship aid does not need to be paid back.
The average Pell Grant awarded for 2019/2020 was $5,369. To apply for a Pell Grant to attend Penn State Erie Behrend College, the first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Read also: Penn State Admission: Average ACT
Student Loans
To gauge a more realistic picture of what it really could cost you out of pocket to go to Penn State Erie Behrend College, we've modeled a ten year student loan with an original principal value of $83,856. The loan balance of $83,856 is a four year multiple of the $20,964 average net price. This is a estimate of what you could owe upon graduation if you were to qualify for average financial aid and what a degree really may cost. Should you not qualify for financial aid, you may owe significantly more when you graduate. Based on these assumptions, a monthly repayment of $953 could be required to pay off your student loan.
Federal Student Loans are not grants and must be repaid with interest. In order to afford student loan payments and still meet all your other costs of living, it is recommended not to borrow more than you can pay back using 10% of your monthly income earned after graduation. If you're considering attending Penn State Erie Behrend College, should consider if it will be realistic to make the post graduation loan payments based on your expected salary.
Factors Influencing the "Net Price"
The Net Price is the total cost minus the total aid given. The Net Price is the price you have to pay to the school out of pocket.
The US government has come up with a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help. As an example, a family that brings home $80,000 in income before taxes, with no assets and no other children in college, has an EFC of around $7,000. Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you, but it's just a guideline.
Residency and Tuition
When students apply to Penn State, most times residency is set automatically based on the location of a student’s high school. If this is the case when you apply, and your high school no longer reflects your state of residency, or you believe you have been incorrectly classified as an out-of-state student, you will need to submit a residency appeal.
Appeals should include a written explanation, as well as the following items:
Students 24 and Under
- Copy of your parents' lease, deed, or mortgage
- Copy of your parents’ first page of the Federal and Pennsylvania income tax returns for the most recent year (you may block out financial information)
- Copy of your parents’ current Pennsylvania driver's license or state-issued photo identification card
Adult Students
- Copy of your lease, deed, or mortgage
- Copy of the first page of your Federal and Pennsylvania income tax returns for the most recent year (you may block out financial information)
- Copy of your current Pennsylvania driver's license or state-issued photo identification card
Special Considerations for Military-Connected Students
Recent state legislation now requires public institutions of higher learning, State-related institutions, State-owned institutions, and private institutions in Pennsylvania to charge resident tuition rates to veterans, their spouses, and dependent children who do not currently reside in Pennsylvania. Resident tuition rates will also be extended to guard/reservists/active-duty members, their spouses, and dependent children regardless of residency, as well as any civilian personnel, their spouses, and dependent children employed at a Department of Defense facility who are transferred to Pennsylvania by the Department of Defense and who reside in Pennsylvania.
In order to receive the in-state tuition, veteran and/or dependent status must be verified. For more information about the process to request in-state tuition based on this legislation, please go to the Office of Veterans Programs webpage.
Managing College Costs: Key Strategies
- Complete the FAFSA: This is the first step in determining your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
- Explore Scholarship Opportunities: Many scholarships are available from various organizations and institutions.
- Consider a Part-Time Job: Working part-time can help offset some of your college expenses.
- Manage Your Time to Graduation: Completing your degree in a timely manner can save you money on tuition and fees.
- Live Economically: Consider living in a more affordable housing option and being mindful of your spending habits.
- Compare Costs at Different Institutions: Research costs at a range of private and public schools to find the best value for your investment.
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