Michigan State vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Michigan State vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State 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 Michigan State ($21,618 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 13.2% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($12,564 vs. $14,474).
• Michigan State University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $486 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.6% higher at Michigan State than at Penn State Altoona (about $16,884 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at Penn State Altoona (88% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($11,088 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State 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 Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Michigan State vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,334 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.