Penn State Altoona vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Merced is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or UC Merced? 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 University of California Merced than Penn State Altoona ($13,690 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 32.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($14,474 vs. $21,445).
• Penn State Altoona is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $349 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.8% higher at UC Merced than at Penn State Altoona (about $22,865 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at Penn State Altoona (89% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 146.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($27,292 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 130 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced 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 UC Merced (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Penn State Altoona vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and UC Merced? 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 University of California Merced's (58%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $6,919 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($19,899 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($205 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

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.