Arcadia vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Arcadia University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Arcadia vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia 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 Arcadia ($21,618 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 15.8% lower than at Arcadia University ($14,474 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 210.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $33,638 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84% higher at Arcadia than at Penn State Altoona (about $22,652 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 213% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($34,705 vs. $11,088).

Arcadia vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia 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 Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 10 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia 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 Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Arcadia vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia 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 Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.