Laurel University vs. Penn State Altoona

Should I go to Laurel University or Penn State Altoona? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Laurel 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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Laurel University vs. Penn State Altoona comparison
Laurel University Penn State Altoona College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Laurel University Penn State Altoona
Location High Point, NC Altoona, PA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 158 2,577
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #584
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website laureluniversity.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Laurel University Penn State Altoona
Tuition (In State) $10,500 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $10,500 $25,854
Room & Board $9,280 $12,984
Avg Net Price $19,269 $20,621
Avg Grant Aid $6,212 $9,574
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 68%

Admission

 Laurel University Penn State Altoona
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 7,523
Admitted - 7,204
Acceptance Rate 95.8%
Enrolled % 12.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.4
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28
SAT Range 1050/1250
Submit Test Scores Neither required nor recommended Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Laurel University Penn State Altoona
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (88%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (2%)
  • Psychology (2%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

 Laurel University Penn State Altoona
Graduation Rate 60% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,900 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,969 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $289 $277

Diversity

 Laurel University Penn State Altoona
% Men 0% 53%
% Women 0% 47%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 41% 77%
% Black 33% 7%
% Hispanic 9% 6%
% Native American 8% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 5% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 Laurel University Penn State Altoona
% In-State - 59%
% Out-of-State - 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Penn State Altoona is larger than than Laurel University based on total student enrollment (2,577 students vs. 158 students)

Laurel University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

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

  • Penn State Altoona is 46.6% more expensive to attend than Laurel University for in-state tuition ($15,388.00 vs. $10,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 146.2% higher at Penn State Altoona than Laurel University ($25,854.00 vs. $10,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Laurel University than Penn State Altoona ($19,269 vs. $20,621)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Laurel University are 39.9% lower than costs at Penn State Altoona ($9,280 vs. $12,984)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Laurel University than Penn State Altoona (97% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 54.1% larger than aid received Laurel University ($9,574 vs. $6,212)

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

  • The average SAT score at Penn State Altoona (993) is 99 points higher than at Laurel University (894)
  • Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Laurel University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Laurel University (3.16)

Laurel University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Laurel 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 Laurel University.

  • The graduation rate at Penn State Altoona is higher than Laurel University (65% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn on average $16,400 more per year than Laurel University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $38,900)
  • Penn State Altoona students graduate with a $1,151 lower median federal student loan debt than Laurel University graduates. ($26,818 vs. $27,969)
  • Penn State Altoona graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Laurel University graduates. ($277 vs. $289)
  • More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laurel University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 39%)

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