Alfred University vs. Penn State Altoona

Should I go to Alfred University or Penn State Altoona? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alfred University or Penn State Altoona is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Alfred University vs. Penn State Altoona comparison
Alfred University Penn State Altoona College 3 College 4
Alfred University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Alfred University Penn State Altoona
Location Alfred, NY Altoona, PA
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 1,813 2,577
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #326 #584
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alfred.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alfred University Penn State Altoona
Tuition (In State) $36,444 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $36,444 $25,854
Room & Board $13,560 $12,984
Avg Net Price $26,183 $20,621
Avg Grant Aid $26,172 $9,574
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 68%

Admission

Alfred University Penn State Altoona
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,091 7,523
Admitted 3,589 7,204
Acceptance Rate 50.6% 95.8%
Enrolled % 10.3% 12.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 21/28
SAT Range 1085/1290 1050/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Alfred University Penn State Altoona
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Alfred University Penn State Altoona
Graduation Rate 60% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,700 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $279 $277

Diversity

Alfred University Penn State Altoona
% Men 43% 53%
% Women 57% 47%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 77%
% Black 9% 7%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 10% 1%

Students

Alfred University Penn State Altoona
% In-State 72% 59%
% Out-of-State 24% 35%

Campus

Alfred University Penn State Altoona
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Penn State Altoona is larger than than Alfred University based on total student enrollment (2,577 students vs. 1,813 students)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred University or Penn State Altoona?

  • Alfred University is 136.8% more expensive to attend than Penn State Altoona for in-state tuition ($36,444.00 vs. $15,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 41% higher at Alfred University than Penn State Altoona ($36,444.00 vs. $25,854.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Altoona than Alfred University ($20,621 vs. $26,183)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 4.4% lower than costs at Alfred University ($12,984 vs. $13,560)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alfred University than Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alfred University students is 173.4% larger than aid received Penn State Altoona ($26,172 vs. $9,574)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alfred University 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 Alfred University .

  • The average SAT score at Alfred University (1057) is 64 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (993)
  • Incoming Alfred University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Penn State Altoona (22)
  • Accepted freshman Alfred University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.4) as students at Penn State Altoona (3.4)
  • Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than Alfred University (50.6%)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alfred University 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 Alfred University.

  • The graduation rate at Penn State Altoona is higher than Alfred University (65% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn on average $9,600 more per year than Alfred University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $45,700)
  • Penn State Altoona students graduate with a $182 lower median federal student loan debt than Alfred University graduates. ($26,818 vs. $27,000)
  • Penn State Altoona graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Alfred University graduates. ($277 vs. $279)
  • More Alfred University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

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