Chatham vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Altoona is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Chatham vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham 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 Chatham ($21,618 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 6% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,600 vs. $14,474).
• Chatham University is 179.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $28,654 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.5% higher at Chatham than at Penn State Altoona (about $17,668 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 171.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($30,095 vs. $11,088).

Chatham vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham 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 Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is the same as at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Chatham 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: Chatham University 1070/1295; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Chatham vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham 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 Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.