Thomas More vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, KY with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than Thomas More based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,350 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Thomas More vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas More 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 Thomas More ($21,618 vs. $22,297).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas More University are 31.6% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($9,900 vs. $14,474).
• Thomas More University is 149.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $23,828 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.6% higher at Thomas More than at Penn State Altoona (about $12,842 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas More University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas More University students is 146% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($27,271 vs. $11,088).

Thomas More vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas More 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 Thomas More.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 50 points higher than at Thomas More (1130).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Thomas More).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas More University 1030/1230; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas More University 21/27; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas More - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Thomas More (3.35).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Thomas More (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Thomas More vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Thomas More vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas More 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 Thomas More University's (52%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $800 more per year than Thomas More graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $54,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Thomas More graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas More graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thomas More students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.