Dickinson College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, 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 Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson 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 Penn State Altoona than Dickinson College ($21,618 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 15.4% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,474 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 311% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $49,678 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.5% higher at Dickinson College than at Penn State Altoona (about $38,692 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Penn State Altoona (96% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 301.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($44,479 vs. $11,088).

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson 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 Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 210 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($217 vs. $277).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.