Penn State Altoona vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with Penn State York in York, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Penn State York is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Penn State York 14:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Penn State York? 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 York than Penn State Altoona ($18,887 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 5.2% lower than at Penn State York ($14,474 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State Altoona is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (about $764 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Penn State York (about $1,566 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State York than at Penn State Altoona (80% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 26.6% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($11,088 vs. $8,756).

Penn State Altoona vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona or Penn State York? 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 York and Penn State Altoona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 30 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State York (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Penn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Penn State York - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Penn State York (97.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

Penn State Altoona vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Penn State York? 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 Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates of Penn State Altoona and Penn State York have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $55,300), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State York and Penn State Altoona graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,818 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Penn State York and Penn State Altoona graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($277 vs. $277).
• Federal student loan repayment rates three years after graduation are the same for Penn State York and Penn State Altoona graduates (69% 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.