Drexel vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drexel University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drexel University 9:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Drexel vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel 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 Drexel ($21,618 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 20% lower than at Drexel University ($14,474 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 290.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $46,440 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.5% higher at Drexel than at Penn State Altoona (about $35,454 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 216.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($35,051 vs. $11,088).

Drexel vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel 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 Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 160 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Drexel students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 1240/1440; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Drexel (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Drexel vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel 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).

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $22,100 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $575 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,243 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.