Staten Island vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

College of Staten Island CUNY is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (11,033 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Staten Island vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island 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 College of Staten Island CUNY than Penn State Altoona ($6,525 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 31.6% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($14,474 vs. $21,155).
• Penn State Altoona is 113.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $8,482 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.6% higher at Penn State Altoona than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $11,518 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Staten Island CUNY than at Penn State Altoona (80% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 30% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($11,088 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island 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 Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 110 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; 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: Staten Island - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Staten Island (92.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Staten Island vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island 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 College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $12,831 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($13,987 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $133 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($144 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 49%)

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.