Bryn Athyn College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Bryn Athyn College of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, PA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than Bryn Athyn College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 255 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is located in Bryn Athyn, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church 8:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Bryn Athyn College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bryn Athyn College or Penn State Altoona? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church than Penn State Altoona ($20,728 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church are 0.5% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($14,406 vs. $14,474).
• Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is 81% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $12,945 more per year; $28,917.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Bryn Athyn College than at Penn State Altoona (about $1,959 more per year; $28,917.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bryn Athyn College of the New Church students is 84.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($20,460 vs. $11,088).

Bryn Athyn College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bryn Athyn College or Penn State Altoona? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Altoona and Bryn Athyn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church (1180) is the same as at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church 1060/1298; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bryn Athyn College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bryn Athyn College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Bryn Athyn College (2.87).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Bryn Athyn College (82.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.1% at Bryn Athyn College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Bryn Athyn College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bryn Athyn College and Penn State Altoona? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Bryn Athyn College of the New Church's (30%).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Athyn College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.