Cedarville University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Cedarville University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (6,318 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cedarville University is located in Cedarville, OH (Town Fringe setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Cedarville University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cedarville University 14:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Cedarville University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cedarville University 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 Cedarville University ($21,618 vs. $27,150).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedarville University are 33.9% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($9,574 vs. $14,474).
• Cedarville University is 132.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $21,178 more per year; $37,150.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at Cedarville University than at Penn State Altoona (about $10,192 more per year; $37,150.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cedarville University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedarville University students is 100% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($22,177 vs. $11,088).

Cedarville University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cedarville University 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 Cedarville University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cedarville University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Cedarville University 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: Cedarville University 1130/1360; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cedarville University 22/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cedarville University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cedarville University students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Cedarville University (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34% at Cedarville University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Cedarville University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cedarville University 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).

• Cedarville University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Cedarville University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cedarville University graduates have a $4,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Cedarville University graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($232 vs. $277).
• More Cedarville University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.