SAU vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

SAU vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU 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 Spring Arbor University than Penn State Altoona ($21,067 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 21% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($11,440 vs. $14,474).
• Spring Arbor University is 113% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $18,042 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at SAU than at Penn State Altoona (about $7,056 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 115.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($23,877 vs. $11,088).

SAU vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU 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 SAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 50 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

SAU vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,775 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($24,043 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SAU 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 SAU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 58%)

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.