Caldwell University vs. Penn State Altoona

Caldwell University and Penn State Altoona side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Caldwell University
Penn State Altoona

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Caldwell University (71.3% admitted vs 98.1%). Typical SAT 1250 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $21,875 at Caldwell University vs $21,618 at Penn State Altoona. Caldwell University in-state tuition is about $24,876 more per year.
  • Graduation: Caldwell University 58% vs Penn State Altoona 65%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caldwell University $46,800 vs Penn State Altoona $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Caldwell University Penn State Altoona
Acceptance rate
Caldwell University more selective
Caldwell University71.3%
Penn State Altoona98.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Caldwell University higher
Caldwell University1130-1370
Penn State Altoona1070-1290
Average net price
About even
Caldwell University$21,875
Penn State Altoona$21,618
In-state tuition
Penn State Altoona $24,876 less
Caldwell University$40,848
Penn State Altoona$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State Altoona $13,890 less
Caldwell University$40,848
Penn State Altoona$26,958
Graduation rate
Penn State Altoona +7 pts
Caldwell University58%
Penn State Altoona65%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn State Altoona +$8,500
Caldwell University$46,800
Penn State Altoona$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Caldwell University 9,364
  • Penn State Altoona 8,447
  • Admitted
  • Caldwell University 6,680
  • Penn State Altoona 8,283
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caldwell University 71.3%
  • Penn State Altoona 98.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caldwell University 8.5%
  • Penn State Altoona 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caldwell University 1250
  • Penn State Altoona 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caldwell University
  • Penn State Altoona 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caldwell University 3.3
  • Penn State Altoona 3.4
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caldwell University B+
  • Penn State Altoona B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Caldwell University Difficult
  • Penn State Altoona Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Caldwell University Low
  • Penn State Altoona
  • SAT range
  • Caldwell University 1130-1370
  • Penn State Altoona 1070-1290
  • ACT range
  • Caldwell University
  • Penn State Altoona 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Caldwell University Test optional
  • Penn State Altoona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caldwell University
  • Penn State Altoona
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caldwell University $40,848
  • Penn State Altoona $15,972
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caldwell University $40,848
  • Penn State Altoona $26,958
  • Room & board
  • Caldwell University $14,188
  • Penn State Altoona $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Caldwell University $21,875
  • Penn State Altoona $21,618
  • Average grant aid
  • Caldwell University $32,340
  • Penn State Altoona $11,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caldwell University 100%
  • Penn State Altoona 78%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caldwell University 58%
  • Penn State Altoona 65%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caldwell University $46,800
  • Penn State Altoona $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caldwell University 50%
  • Penn State Altoona 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caldwell University $25,750
  • Penn State Altoona $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Caldwell University $266
  • Penn State Altoona $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caldwell University 12:1
  • Penn State Altoona 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caldwell University
    • Business (20%)
    • Psychology (19%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Penn State Altoona
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Location
  • Caldwell University Caldwell, NJ
  • Penn State Altoona Altoona, PA
  • Setting
  • Caldwell University Large Suburban
  • Penn State Altoona Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Caldwell University 2,005
  • Penn State Altoona 2,371
  • Type
  • Caldwell University Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Altoona Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caldwell University #439
  • Penn State Altoona #604

Comparable Facts

Compare Caldwell University in Caldwell, NJ with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than Caldwell University based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,005 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Caldwell University is located in Caldwell, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
  • Caldwell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Caldwell University 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Caldwell University are 2% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($14,188 vs. $14,474).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 51.5% higher at Caldwell University than at Penn State Altoona (about $13,890 more per year; $40,848 vs. $26,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Caldwell University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Caldwell University students is 191.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($32,340 vs. $11,088).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Caldwell University and Penn State Altoona.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Penn State Altoona average a 3.4 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Caldwell University (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Caldwell University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Caldwell University graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Caldwell University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($266 vs. $277).
  • More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Caldwell University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 50%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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