Allegheny College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Allegheny College in Meadville, PA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than Allegheny College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Allegheny College is located in Meadville, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Allegheny College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Allegheny College 8:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Allegheny College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Allegheny College 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 Allegheny College ($21,618 vs. $26,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Allegheny College are 2.6% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($14,100 vs. $14,474).
• Allegheny College is 254.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $40,578 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.8% higher at Allegheny College than at Penn State Altoona (about $29,592 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Allegheny College than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Allegheny College students is 305.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($44,987 vs. $11,088).

Allegheny College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Allegheny College 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 Allegheny College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Allegheny College (1270) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Allegheny College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Allegheny College 1173/1358; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Allegheny College 25/30; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Allegheny College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Allegheny College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Allegheny College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Allegheny College (54.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Allegheny College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Allegheny College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Allegheny College 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).

• Allegheny College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $100 more per year than Allegheny College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $2,182 lower median loan debt than Allegheny College graduates ($26,818 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allegheny College graduates ($277 vs. $299).
• More Allegheny College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.