MVNU vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, OH with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than MVNU based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,671 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Vernon Nazarene University is located in Mount Vernon, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Vernon Nazarene University 13:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

MVNU vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MVNU 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 MVNU ($21,618 vs. $22,961).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University are 28.2% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($10,394 vs. $14,474).
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University is 132.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $21,186 more per year; $37,158.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at MVNU than at Penn State Altoona (about $10,200 more per year; $37,158.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Vernon Nazarene University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Vernon Nazarene University students is 142.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($26,886 vs. $11,088).

MVNU vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MVNU 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 MVNU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (1180) is the same as at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at MVNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Vernon Nazarene University 1046/1315; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Vernon Nazarene University 18/25; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MVNU - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MVNU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than MVNU (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at MVNU vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

MVNU vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MVNU 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).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Mount Vernon Nazarene University's (57%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than MVNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates have a $282 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,536 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, MVNU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($274 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MVNU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.