Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Altoona

Gettysburg College and Penn State Altoona side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Gettysburg College
Penn State Altoona

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Gettysburg College (38.9% admitted vs 98.1%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State Altoona. Average net price is $21,618 vs $32,769 at Gettysburg College.
  • Graduation: Gettysburg College 85% vs Penn State Altoona 65%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Gettysburg College $60,900 vs Penn State Altoona $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Gettysburg College Penn State Altoona
Acceptance rate
Gettysburg College more selective
Gettysburg College38.9%
Penn State Altoona98.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Gettysburg College higher
Gettysburg College1270-1460
Penn State Altoona1070-1290
Average net price
Penn State Altoona $11,151 less
Gettysburg College$32,769
Penn State Altoona$21,618
In-state tuition
Penn State Altoona $50,668 less
Gettysburg College$66,640
Penn State Altoona$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State Altoona $39,682 less
Gettysburg College$66,640
Penn State Altoona$26,958
Graduation rate
Gettysburg College +20 pts
Gettysburg College85%
Penn State Altoona65%
Median earnings (10 years)
Gettysburg College +$5,600
Gettysburg College$60,900
Penn State Altoona$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Gettysburg College 8,366
  • Penn State Altoona 8,447
  • Admitted
  • Gettysburg College 3,254
  • Penn State Altoona 8,283
  • Acceptance rate
  • Gettysburg College 38.9%
  • Penn State Altoona 98.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Gettysburg College 15.6%
  • Penn State Altoona 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Gettysburg College 1370
  • Penn State Altoona 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Gettysburg College 30
  • Penn State Altoona 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Gettysburg College -
  • Penn State Altoona 3.4
  • Typical high school grades
  • Gettysburg College -
  • Penn State Altoona B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Gettysburg College Very High
  • Penn State Altoona Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Gettysburg College High
  • Penn State Altoona
  • SAT range
  • Gettysburg College 1270-1460
  • Penn State Altoona 1070-1290
  • ACT range
  • Gettysburg College 29-32
  • Penn State Altoona 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Gettysburg College Test optional
  • Penn State Altoona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn State Altoona
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Gettysburg College $66,640
  • Penn State Altoona $15,972
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Gettysburg College $66,640
  • Penn State Altoona $26,958
  • Room & board
  • Gettysburg College $16,110
  • Penn State Altoona $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Gettysburg College $32,769
  • Penn State Altoona $21,618
  • Average grant aid
  • Gettysburg College $49,191
  • Penn State Altoona $11,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Gettysburg College 98%
  • Penn State Altoona 78%
  • Graduation rate
  • Gettysburg College 85%
  • Penn State Altoona 65%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Gettysburg College $60,900
  • Penn State Altoona $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Gettysburg College 90%
  • Penn State Altoona 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Gettysburg College $22,000
  • Penn State Altoona $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Gettysburg College $227
  • Penn State Altoona $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Gettysburg College 10:1
  • Penn State Altoona 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Gettysburg College
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Business (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Penn State Altoona
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Location
  • Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
  • Penn State Altoona Altoona, PA
  • Setting
  • Gettysburg College Distant Town
  • Penn State Altoona Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Gettysburg College 2,812
  • Penn State Altoona 2,371
  • Type
  • Gettysburg College Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Altoona Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Gettysburg College #80
  • Penn State Altoona #604

Comparable Facts

Compare Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Gettysburg College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,812 students vs. 2,371 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
  • Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gettysburg College 10:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 10.2% lower than at Gettysburg College ($14,474 vs. $16,110).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 147.2% higher at Gettysburg College than at Penn State Altoona (about $39,682 more per year; $66,640 vs. $26,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Penn State Altoona (98% vs. 78%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gettysburg College students is 343.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($49,191 vs. $11,088).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Gettysburg College than at Penn State Altoona (30 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Gettysburg College and Penn State Altoona.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Gettysburg College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have a $4,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($227 vs. $277).
  • More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 69%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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