Duquesne University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Duquesne University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (8,234 students vs. 2,371 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duquesne 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 Duquesne University ($21,618 vs. $37,917).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 11.6% lower than at Duquesne University ($14,474 vs. $16,374).
• Duquesne University is 206.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $33,014 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.7% higher at Duquesne University than at Penn State Altoona (about $22,028 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duquesne University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 169.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($29,850 vs. $11,088).

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Duquesne University (1260) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Duquesne University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duquesne University 1180/1340; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duquesne University 26/32; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duquesne University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duquesne University Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Duquesne University (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Duquesne University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duquesne 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.

• Duquesne University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Duquesne University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Duquesne University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Duquesne University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Duquesne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.