Lafayette College vs. Penn State Altoona

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

Lafayette College
Penn State Altoona

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 98.1%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State Altoona. Average net price is $21,618 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Lafayette College 88% vs Penn State Altoona 65%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lafayette College $81,000 vs Penn State Altoona $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Lafayette College Penn State Altoona
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
Lafayette College31.4%
Penn State Altoona98.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lafayette College higher
Lafayette College1350-1500
Penn State Altoona1070-1290
Average net price
Penn State Altoona $16,824 less
Lafayette College$38,442
Penn State Altoona$21,618
In-state tuition
Penn State Altoona $49,426 less
Lafayette College$65,398
Penn State Altoona$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State Altoona $38,440 less
Lafayette College$65,398
Penn State Altoona$26,958
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +23 pts
Lafayette College88%
Penn State Altoona65%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$25,700
Lafayette College$81,000
Penn State Altoona$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Penn State Altoona 8,447
  • Admitted
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Penn State Altoona 8,283
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Penn State Altoona 98.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Penn State Altoona 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Penn State Altoona 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Penn State Altoona 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Penn State Altoona 3.4
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Penn State Altoona B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Penn State Altoona Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Lafayette College High
  • Penn State Altoona
  • SAT range
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • Penn State Altoona 1070-1290
  • ACT range
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Penn State Altoona 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Penn State Altoona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn State Altoona
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Penn State Altoona $15,972
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Penn State Altoona $26,958
  • Room & board
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Penn State Altoona $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Penn State Altoona $21,618
  • Average grant aid
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • Penn State Altoona $11,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Penn State Altoona 78%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Penn State Altoona 65%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Penn State Altoona $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Penn State Altoona 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Penn State Altoona $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Penn State Altoona $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Penn State Altoona 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Penn State Altoona
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Location
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Penn State Altoona Altoona, PA
  • Setting
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Penn State Altoona Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Penn State Altoona 2,371
  • Type
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Altoona Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lafayette College #69
  • Penn State Altoona #604

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,371 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
  • Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lafayette 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 27.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($14,474 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 142.6% higher at Lafayette College than at Penn State Altoona (about $38,440 more per year; $65,398 vs. $26,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Lafayette College (78% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 303.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($44,707 vs. $11,088).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Lafayette College than at Penn State Altoona (32 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lafayette College and Penn State Altoona.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lafayette College average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($268 vs. $277).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation (91% 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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