WSU vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

WSU vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU 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 Wayne State University than Penn State Altoona ($14,416 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 1.5% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($14,252 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $782 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at WSU than at Penn State Altoona (about $5,079 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Penn State Altoona (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($12,953 vs. $11,088).

WSU vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU 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 WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 10 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

WSU vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,560 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,258 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($230 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 38%)

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.