Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Should I go to Penn State Altoona or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Penn State Altoona or West Virginia University at Parkersburg is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg comparison
Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg College 3 College 4
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Overview

Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Location Altoona, PA Parkersburg, WV
Setting Small City Small Suburban
Enrollment 2,577 2,288
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #584
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website psu.edu wvup.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Tuition (In State) $15,388 $4,032
Tuition (Out of State) $25,854 $9,024
Room & Board $12,984 $7,200
Avg Net Price $20,621 $3,029
Avg Grant Aid $9,574 $5,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 68% 82%

Admission

Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,523 -
Admitted 7,204 -
Acceptance Rate 95.8% Open
Enrolled % 12.6% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.4 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Average Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28
SAT Range 1050/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (40%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Science Technologies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Graduation Rate 65% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $55,300 $31,500
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,818 $12,031
Median Loan Payment $277 $124

Diversity

Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg
% Men 53% 36%
% Women 47% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 92%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg
% In-State 59% 92%
% Out-of-State 35% 8%

Campus

Penn State Altoona West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Penn State Altoona is larger than than West Virginia University at Parkersburg based on total student enrollment (2,577 students vs. 2,288 students)

Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or West Virginia University at Parkersburg?

  • Penn State Altoona is 281.6% more expensive to attend than West Virginia University at Parkersburg for in-state tuition ($15,388.00 vs. $4,032.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 186.5% higher at Penn State Altoona than West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($25,854.00 vs. $9,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University at Parkersburg than Penn State Altoona ($3,029 vs. $20,621)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University at Parkersburg are 80.3% lower than costs at Penn State Altoona ($7,200 vs. $12,984)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia University at Parkersburg than Penn State Altoona (82% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 64.8% larger than aid received West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($9,574 vs. $5,811)

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between West Virginia University at Parkersburg or Penn State Altoona .

Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Penn State Altoona or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Penn State Altoona.

  • The graduation rate at Penn State Altoona is higher than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (65% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn on average $23,800 more per year than West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $31,500)
  • West Virginia University at Parkersburg students graduate with a $14,787 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates. ($12,031 vs. $26,818)
  • West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates are paying $153 less per month on federal student loans than Penn State Altoona graduates. ($124 vs. $277)
  • More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University at Parkersburg students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/