UNCG vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, NC with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (18,012 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 North Carolina at Greensboro 18:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

UNCG vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 North Carolina at Greensboro than Penn State Altoona ($11,404 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 26.2% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($10,688 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 108.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $8,311 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at Penn State Altoona than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $2,946 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at Penn State Altoona (87% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 12.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($11,088 vs. $9,863).

UNCG vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCG students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than UNCG (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

UNCG vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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 North Carolina at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates have a $4,081 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,737 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UNCG 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 UNCG students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.