Penn State Altoona vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Penn State Altoona ($21,267 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 17.6% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($11,930 vs. $14,474).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 134.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $21,528 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.1% higher at VWC than at Penn State Altoona (about $10,542 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 169.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($29,923 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming VWC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at VWC (3.39).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Penn State Altoona vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.