Rider University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rider University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (4,003 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rider University is located in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rider University 14:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Rider University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider University or Penn State Altoona? 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 Rider University ($21,618 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 16% lower than at Rider University ($14,474 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 157.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $25,148 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.5% higher at Rider University than at Penn State Altoona (about $14,162 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 164.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($29,294 vs. $11,088).

Rider University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rider University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Rider University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 1100/1320; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 27/31; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Rider University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Rider University (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Rider University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider University and Penn State Altoona? 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 Rider University's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Rider University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rider University graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rider University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($266 vs. $277).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.