Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Newark is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University Newark than Penn State Altoona ($18,276 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 10% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($14,474 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $1,278 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.4% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Penn State Altoona (about $9,804 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Rutgers University Newark (78% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 57% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($17,405 vs. $11,088).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 30 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $4,603 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($229 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.