Canisius vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Canisius University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,451 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Canisius University 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Canisius vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Canisius 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 Canisius University than Penn State Altoona ($19,666 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 6.3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,560 vs. $14,474).
• Canisius University is 116% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $18,528 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at Canisius than at Penn State Altoona (about $7,542 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Canisius University students is 125.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($24,972 vs. $11,088).

Canisius vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Canisius 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 Canisius.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Canisius University (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Canisius students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Altoona (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 1050/1320; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 22/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Canisius - Test-free; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Canisius students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Canisius (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Canisius vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Canisius vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Canisius 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).

• Canisius University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $2,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($24,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($255 vs. $277).
• More Canisius graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.