UMA vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maine at Augusta is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (4,412 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maine at Augusta is located in Augusta, ME (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Maine at Augusta 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 Maine at Augusta 16:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

UMA vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMA 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 Maine at Augusta than Penn State Altoona ($11,077 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maine at Augusta are 27.1% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($10,546 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 79.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMA (about $7,084 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,888.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Penn State Altoona than at University of Maine at Augusta (about $4,780 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $22,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maine at Augusta than at Penn State Altoona (92% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 51.4% larger than aid received by University of Maine at Augusta students ($11,088 vs. $7,323).

UMA vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMA 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 UMA.

• University of Maine at Augusta reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn 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: UMA - Open admission; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.

UMA vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMA 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 University of Maine at Augusta's (16%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $25,200 more per year than UMA graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $30,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maine at Augusta graduates have a $4,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UMA graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($235 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMA students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 39%)

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.