University of West Alabama vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

• University of West Alabama is larger than than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (5,860 students vs. 2,577 students)

University of West Alabama vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or Penn State Altoona?

• Penn State Altoona is 69.1% more expensive to attend than University of West Alabama for in-state tuition ($15,388.00 vs. $9,100.00)
• Out of state tuition is 42.1% higher at Penn State Altoona than University of West Alabama ($25,854.00 vs. $18,200.00)
• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of West Alabama than Penn State Altoona ($13,786 vs. $20,621)
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 66% lower than costs at Penn State Altoona ($7,820 vs. $12,984)
• More students receive financial grant aid at University of West Alabama than Penn State Altoona (89% vs. 68%)
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 3% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($9,574 vs. $9,291)

University of West Alabama vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama or Penn State Altoona? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State Altoona or University of West Alabama .

• The average SAT score at Penn State Altoona (993) is 63 points higher than at University of West Alabama (930)
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of West Alabama (20)
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than University of West Alabama (68.9%)

University of West Alabama vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama or Penn State Altoona? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State Altoona and University of West Alabama.

• The graduation rate at Penn State Altoona is higher than University of West Alabama (65% vs. 28%)
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn on average $16,800 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $38,500)
• University of West Alabama students graduate with a $329 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates. ($26,489 vs. $26,818)
• University of West Alabama graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Penn State Altoona graduates. ($273 vs. $277)
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/