Delaware Valley University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, 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 Delaware Valley University based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,199 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Delaware Valley University is located in Doylestown, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Delaware Valley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Delaware Valley University 14:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Delaware Valley University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Delaware Valley 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 Delaware Valley University ($21,618 vs. $28,975).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 4% lower than at Delaware Valley University ($14,474 vs. $15,076).
• Delaware Valley University is 180.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $28,878 more per year; $44,850.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.4% higher at Delaware Valley University than at Penn State Altoona (about $17,892 more per year; $44,850.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Delaware Valley University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Delaware Valley University students is 178.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($30,894 vs. $11,088).

Delaware Valley University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Delaware Valley University or Penn State Altoona? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Altoona and Delaware Valley University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Delaware Valley University (1200) is 20 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Delaware Valley University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Delaware Valley University 1090/1303; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Delaware Valley University 23/30; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Delaware Valley University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Delaware Valley University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Delaware Valley University (93.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.6% at Delaware Valley University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Delaware Valley University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Delaware Valley University and Penn State Altoona? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Delaware Valley University's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Delaware Valley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Delaware Valley University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Delaware Valley University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Delaware Valley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.