Capital University vs. Penn State Altoona

Should I go to Capital University or Penn State Altoona? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Capital University or Penn State Altoona is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Capital University vs. Penn State Altoona comparison
Capital University Penn State Altoona College 3 College 4
Capital University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Capital University Penn State Altoona
Location Columbus, OH Altoona, PA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 2,617 2,577
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #543 #584
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website capital.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Capital University Penn State Altoona
Tuition (In State) $39,900 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $39,900 $25,854
Room & Board $12,308 $12,984
Avg Net Price $24,439 $20,621
Avg Grant Aid $28,469 $9,574
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 68%

Admission

Capital University Penn State Altoona
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,370 7,523
Admitted 3,153 7,204
Acceptance Rate 72.2% 95.8%
Enrolled % 16.4% 12.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.63 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 21/28
SAT Range 960/1186 1050/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2024

Academics

Capital University Penn State Altoona
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Capital University Penn State Altoona
Graduation Rate 61% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,300 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $279 $277

Diversity

Capital University Penn State Altoona
% Men 40% 53%
% Women 60% 47%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 77%
% Black 10% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Capital University Penn State Altoona
% In-State 94% 59%
% Out-of-State 4% 35%

Campus

Capital University Penn State Altoona
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Capital University is larger than than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,617 students vs. 2,577 students)

Capital University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Capital University or Penn State Altoona?

  • Capital University is 159.3% more expensive to attend than Penn State Altoona for in-state tuition ($39,900.00 vs. $15,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.3% higher at Capital University than Penn State Altoona ($39,900.00 vs. $25,854.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Altoona than Capital University ($20,621 vs. $24,439)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Capital University are 5.5% lower than costs at Penn State Altoona ($12,308 vs. $12,984)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Capital University than Penn State Altoona (98% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 197.4% larger than aid received Penn State Altoona ($28,469 vs. $9,574)

Capital University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Capital University or Penn State Altoona? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State Altoona or Capital University .

  • The average SAT score at Capital University (1133) is 140 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (993)
  • Incoming Capital University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Penn State Altoona (22)
  • Accepted freshman Capital University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4)
  • Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than Capital University (72.2%)

Capital University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Capital University or Penn State Altoona? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State Altoona and Capital University.

  • The graduation rate at Penn State Altoona is higher than Capital University (65% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn on average $8,000 more per year than Capital University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $47,300)
  • Penn State Altoona students graduate with a $182 lower median federal student loan debt than Capital University graduates. ($26,818 vs. $27,000)
  • Penn State Altoona graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Capital University graduates. ($277 vs. $279)
  • More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Capital University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/