New Mexico Tech vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, NM 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 New Mexico Tech based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,622 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is located in Socorro, NM (Remote Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 9:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

New Mexico Tech vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Mexico Tech 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 New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology than Penn State Altoona ($11,551 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are 28.5% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($10,350 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 68.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than New Mexico Tech (about $6,496 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $9,476.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at New Mexico Tech than at Penn State Altoona (about $289 more per year; $27,247.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology students is 20.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($13,376 vs. $11,088).

New Mexico Tech vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Mexico Tech 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 New Mexico Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (1200) is 20 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at New Mexico Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 1080/1310; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 20/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: New Mexico Tech - Required; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: New Mexico Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman New Mexico Tech students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than New Mexico Tech (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.1% at New Mexico Tech vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

New Mexico Tech vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for New Mexico Tech 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 New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology's (46%).
• Graduates from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology graduates have a $6,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, New Mexico Tech graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($206 vs. $277).
• More New Mexico Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 69%)

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.