Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than West Virginia University Tech based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,278 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); West Virginia University Institute of Technology is in Beckley, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; West Virginia University Institute of Technology 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University Institute of Technology are 10.3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($12,986 vs. $14,474).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.9% higher at Penn State Altoona than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (about $5,886 more per year; $26,958 vs. $21,072).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University Institute of Technology than at Penn State Altoona (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 10.1% larger than aid received by West Virginia University Institute of Technology students ($11,088 vs. $10,068).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Penn State Altoona than at West Virginia University Tech (25 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Penn State Altoona and West Virginia University Tech.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Virginia University Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at West Virginia University Tech average a 3.51 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 52.3% at West Virginia University Tech.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,817 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($24,001 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University Tech graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($248 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University Tech students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 59%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.