UD vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Delaware in Newark, DE with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Delaware is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

UD vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 of Delaware than Penn State Altoona ($19,139 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 5.9% lower than at University of Delaware ($14,474 vs. $15,386).
• University of Delaware is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $838 more per year; $16,810.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.6% higher at UD than at Penn State Altoona (about $14,442 more per year; $41,400.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at Penn State Altoona (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Delaware students is 20% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($13,302 vs. $11,088).

UD vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Delaware (1280) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming UD students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than UD (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

UD vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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 of Delaware's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Delaware graduates have a $2,615 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($24,203 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UD graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($250 vs. $277).
• More UD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.