Ferris State University vs. Penn State Altoona

Should I go to Ferris State University or Penn State Altoona? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Ferris State 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.

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Ferris State University vs. Penn State Altoona comparison
Ferris State University Penn State Altoona College 3 College 4
Ferris State University
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Overview

Ferris State University Penn State Altoona
Location Big Rapids, MI Altoona, PA
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 10,072 2,577
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #791 #584
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ferris.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ferris State University Penn State Altoona
Tuition (In State) $13,076 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $13,076 $25,854
Room & Board $10,268 $12,984
Avg Net Price $13,978 $20,621
Avg Grant Aid $11,128 $9,574
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 68%

Admission

Ferris State University Penn State Altoona
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,228 7,523
Admitted 10,746 7,204
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 95.8%
Enrolled % 16.2% 12.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 21/28
SAT Range 910/1150 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

Academics

Ferris State University Penn State Altoona
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Ferris State University Penn State Altoona
Graduation Rate 45% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,179 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $250 $277

Diversity

Ferris State University Penn State Altoona
% Men 45% 53%
% Women 55% 47%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 77%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Ferris State University Penn State Altoona
% In-State 92% 59%
% Out-of-State 6% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (10,072 students vs. 2,577 students)

Ferris State University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

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

  • Penn State Altoona is 17.7% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($15,388.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 97.7% higher at Penn State Altoona than Ferris State University ($25,854.00 vs. $13,076.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Penn State Altoona ($13,978 vs. $20,621)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 26.5% lower than costs at Penn State Altoona ($10,268 vs. $12,984)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ferris State University than Penn State Altoona (94% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 16.2% larger than aid received Penn State Altoona ($11,128 vs. $9,574)

Ferris State University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferris State 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 Ferris State University .

  • The average SAT score at Ferris State University (1009) is 16 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (993)
  • Incoming Ferris State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Penn State Altoona (22)
  • Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than Ferris State University (87.9%)

Ferris State University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ferris State 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 Ferris State University.

  • The graduation rate at Penn State Altoona is higher than Ferris State University (65% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn on average $8,300 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $47,000)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $2,639 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates. ($24,179 vs. $26,818)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Penn State Altoona graduates. ($250 vs. $277)
  • More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 58%)

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