Elon vs. Penn State Mont Alto

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with Penn State Mont Alto in Mont Alto, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than Penn State Mont Alto based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Mont Alto is in Mont Alto, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Mont Alto is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Penn State Mont Alto 10:1.

Elon vs. Penn State Mont Alto Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Penn State Mont Alto? 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 Mont Alto than Elon ($19,675 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Mont Alto are 3.4% lower than at Elon University ($14,474 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 225.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Mont Alto (about $32,550 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.6% higher at Elon than at Penn State Mont Alto (about $22,824 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Mont Alto than at Elon University (84% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 76.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Mont Alto students ($17,867 vs. $10,106).

Elon vs. Penn State Mont Alto Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or Penn State Mont Alto? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Mont Alto and Elon.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Mont Alto (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elon University 1130/1280; Penn State Mont Alto 980/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Penn State Mont Alto - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Penn State Mont Alto has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 24.4% at Penn State Mont Alto.

Elon vs. Penn State Mont Alto Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Penn State Mont Alto? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Penn State Mont Alto's (52%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Penn State Mont Alto graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Mont Alto graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Mont Alto graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Mont Alto students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.