Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon ($21,618 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 20.3% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,474 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 314.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $50,274 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Penn State Altoona (about $39,288 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Carnegie Mellon University (78% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 333.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($48,107 vs. $11,088).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 360 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $47,400 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.