Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buffalo State College 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 SUNY Buffalo State University than Penn State Altoona ($12,023 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 9.5% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($14,474 vs. $15,986).
• Penn State Altoona is 87.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $7,439 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at Penn State Altoona than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $7,305 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 5.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($11,697 vs. $11,088).

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buffalo State College 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 Buffalo State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 70 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240; 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: Buffalo State College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.2% at Buffalo State College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Buffalo State College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buffalo State College 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 SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $5,409 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($21,409 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($221 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.