UB vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

University at Buffalo is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (31,903 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Buffalo 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

UB vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UB 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 University at Buffalo than Penn State Altoona ($20,529 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 16.9% lower than at University at Buffalo ($14,474 vs. $17,426).
• Penn State Altoona is 46% more expensive for in-state tuition than UB (about $5,036 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $10,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at UB than at Penn State Altoona (about $4,578 more per year; $31,536.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at University at Buffalo (78% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 4% larger than aid received by University at Buffalo students ($11,088 vs. $10,663).

UB vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UB 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 UB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 120 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming UB students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Buffalo 1210/1380; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Buffalo 27/32; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UB - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than UB (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at UB vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

UB vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UB 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).

• University at Buffalo's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from University at Buffalo earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Buffalo graduates have a $7,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($201 vs. $277).
• More UB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

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.