ASU vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Appalachian 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: Appalachian State University 16:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

ASU vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU 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 Appalachian State University than Penn State Altoona ($14,978 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 11.1% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($12,868 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 110.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $8,393 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Appalachian State University (about $1,746 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Appalachian State University (78% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($11,088 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU 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 ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 20 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 ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than ASU (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

ASU vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU 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).

• The graduation rate at ASU is the same as at Penn State Altoona (65% vs. 65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.