University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Mount Union in Alliance, OH with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mount Union is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,461 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mount Union is located in Alliance, OH (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Mount Union is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mount Union 15:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Mount Union 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 University of Mount Union ($21,618 vs. $23,616).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mount Union are 12.1% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($12,720 vs. $14,474).
• University of Mount Union is 129.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $20,628 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at University of Mount Union than at Penn State Altoona (about $9,642 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mount Union than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mount Union students is 130.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($25,597 vs. $11,088).

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Mount Union 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 University of Mount Union.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 100 points higher than at University of Mount Union (1080).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at University of Mount Union).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mount Union 910/1240; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mount Union 18/25; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Mount Union - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at University of Mount Union (3.33).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than University of Mount Union (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at University of Mount Union vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Mount Union 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).

• The graduation rate at University of Mount Union is the same as at Penn State Altoona (65% vs. 65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than University of Mount Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than University of Mount Union graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Mount Union graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More University of Mount Union graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.