Fairfield University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Fairfield University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University 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 Fairfield University ($21,618 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 27% lower than at Fairfield University ($14,474 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 265.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $42,378 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.4% higher at Fairfield University than at Penn State Altoona (about $31,392 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Penn State Altoona (96% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 137% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($26,274 vs. $11,088).

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University 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 Fairfield University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 150 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Fairfield University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University 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 Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University 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).

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.