I’m actually surprised this is even a contest. I got into a branch campus of Pitt as an OOS student two years ago, but basically dismissed the idea as soon as the acceptance letter came. It was one of my cheapest options, but I was turned off by the idea of spending two years at one campus and then two years at another.
I’d go with Virginia Tech. It’s academically as strong as Penn State and you get to spend all four years on one campus.
Penn State Erie Behrend campus is very small. You can stay there all 4 years. Their strength at that campus is engineering technology and Plastics Engineering (that part of the facility is amazing). They don’t guarantee housing. When my S and I went to visit we saw very few students but my nephew attends and likes it a lot. There are only 2 dining facilities and you need a car to do anything off campus. It is a good option for a PA resident with good but not great gpa and sat scores. If you scores could have gotten you into main campus but for some reason did not I wouldn’t recommend it. Penn States satellite campuses have a close to 90% acceptance rate so I agree its like 2 years of community college. We also visited the VA Tech campus which is fabulous and every bit of a typical college experience. You don’t need a car to eat outside campus. Campus itself has many food options. Blacksburg was beautiful. The engineering building was stellar. Between VA Tech and Penn State Behrend I would say VA Tech all the way. My son is decided on RIT BTW.