Penn State Altoona vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (35,724 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Pitt? 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 Pitt ($21,618 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 5.9% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,620 vs. $14,474).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $5,954 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at Pitt than at Penn State Altoona (about $14,472 more per year; $41,430.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (78% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students is 48.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($16,494 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 190 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Pitt students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Pitt (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 13% at Pitt.

Penn State Altoona vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Pitt? 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).

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $91 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($26,818 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($277 vs. $278).
• More Pitt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.