DeSales University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

DeSales University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,972 students vs. 2,371 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DeSales University is located in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• DeSales University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DeSales University 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

DeSales University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales 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 DeSales University ($21,618 vs. $31,732).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 4.7% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,800 vs. $14,474).
• DeSales University is 193% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $30,828 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.6% higher at DeSales University than at Penn State Altoona (about $19,842 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DeSales University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 178.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($30,909 vs. $11,088).

DeSales University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DeSales 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 DeSales University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at DeSales University (1180) is the same as at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming DeSales University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: DeSales University 1090/1260; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: DeSales University 27/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DeSales University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DeSales University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at DeSales University (3.39).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than DeSales University (77.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at DeSales University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

DeSales University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DeSales 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.

• DeSales University's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than DeSales University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DeSales University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, DeSales University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.