Queens College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY Queens College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (15,965 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY Queens College is located in Queens, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• CUNY Queens 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 Queens College 13:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Queens College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Queens 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 Queens College than Penn State Altoona ($5,728 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 15.5% lower than at CUNY Queens College ($14,474 vs. $17,132).
• Penn State Altoona is 111.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Queens College (about $8,434 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $7,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.1% higher at Penn State Altoona than at CUNY Queens College (about $11,470 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $15,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Queens College than at Penn State Altoona (81% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 22.4% larger than aid received by CUNY Queens College students ($11,088 vs. $9,057).

Queens College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 30 points higher than at Queens College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY Queens College 1010/1290; 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: Queens College - 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 Queens College (3.0).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Queens College (64.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Queens College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Queens College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Queens 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 Queens College's (53%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Queens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Queens College graduates have a $15,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($11,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Queens College graduates have an estimated $164 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($113 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Queens College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.