Brooklyn College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, NY with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY Brooklyn College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (14,390 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Brooklyn College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brooklyn College 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 CUNY Brooklyn College than Penn State Altoona ($4,512 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 35% lower than at CUNY Brooklyn College ($14,474 vs. $22,260).
• Penn State Altoona is 114.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Brooklyn College (about $8,520 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $7,452.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75% higher at Penn State Altoona than at CUNY Brooklyn College (about $11,556 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $15,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Brooklyn College than at Penn State Altoona (90% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 16.9% larger than aid received by CUNY Brooklyn College students ($11,088 vs. $9,482).

Brooklyn College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brooklyn College 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 Brooklyn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 30 points higher than at Brooklyn College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY Brooklyn College 950/1340; 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: Brooklyn College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Brooklyn College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brooklyn College 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 Brooklyn College (58.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Brooklyn College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Brooklyn College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brooklyn College 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 CUNY Brooklyn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Brooklyn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Brooklyn College graduates have a $16,436 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($10,382 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Brooklyn College graduates have an estimated $170 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($107 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brooklyn College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 54%)

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.