Salisbury vs. Penn State Altoona

Salisbury University and Penn State Altoona side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Salisbury University
Penn State Altoona

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Salisbury (87.5% admitted vs 98.1%). Typical SAT 1250 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salisbury. Average net price is $18,760 vs $21,618 at Penn State Altoona.
  • Graduation: Salisbury 67% vs Penn State Altoona 65%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salisbury $52,000 vs Penn State Altoona $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Salisbury University Penn State Altoona
Acceptance rate
Salisbury more selective
Salisbury87.5%
Penn State Altoona98.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salisbury higher
Salisbury1180-1320
Penn State Altoona1070-1290
Average net price
Salisbury $2,858 less
Salisbury$18,760
Penn State Altoona$21,618
In-state tuition
Salisbury $4,888 less
Salisbury$11,084
Penn State Altoona$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
Salisbury $4,784 less
Salisbury$22,174
Penn State Altoona$26,958
Graduation rate
Salisbury +2 pts
Salisbury67%
Penn State Altoona65%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn State Altoona +$3,300
Salisbury$52,000
Penn State Altoona$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • Penn State Altoona 8,447
  • Admitted
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • Penn State Altoona 8,283
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • Penn State Altoona 98.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • Penn State Altoona 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salisbury 1250
  • Penn State Altoona 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salisbury 24
  • Penn State Altoona 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • Penn State Altoona 3.4
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salisbury A-
  • Penn State Altoona B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • Penn State Altoona Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Salisbury
  • Penn State Altoona
  • SAT range
  • Salisbury 1180-1320
  • Penn State Altoona 1070-1290
  • ACT range
  • Salisbury 20-29
  • Penn State Altoona 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • Penn State Altoona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn State Altoona
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • Penn State Altoona $15,972
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • Penn State Altoona $26,958
  • Room & board
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • Penn State Altoona $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • Penn State Altoona $21,618
  • Average grant aid
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • Penn State Altoona $11,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salisbury 88%
  • Penn State Altoona 78%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salisbury 67%
  • Penn State Altoona 65%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • Penn State Altoona $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salisbury 68%
  • Penn State Altoona 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • Penn State Altoona $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Salisbury $208
  • Penn State Altoona $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • Penn State Altoona 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Penn State Altoona
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Location
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • Penn State Altoona Altoona, PA
  • Setting
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • Penn State Altoona Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • Penn State Altoona 2,371
  • Type
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • Penn State Altoona Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salisbury #352
  • Penn State Altoona #604

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salisbury University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 2,371 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 4% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,900 vs. $14,474).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Salisbury University (about $4,784 more per year; $26,958 vs. $22,174).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Penn State Altoona (88% vs. 78%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 21.5% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($11,088 vs. $9,124).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Penn State Altoona than at Salisbury (25 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Salisbury and Penn State Altoona.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salisbury average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $6,665 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($20,153 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($208 vs. $277).
  • More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 68%).

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

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