Elon vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Elon vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($21,618 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 3.4% lower than at Elon University ($14,474 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 194% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $30,986 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.2% higher at Elon than at Penn State Altoona (about $20,000 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Elon University (78% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 61.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($17,867 vs. $11,088).

Elon vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Elon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Altoona (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Elon vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.