SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Farmingdale State College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (10,039 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Farmingdale State College is located in Farmingdale, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Farmingdale State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Farmingdale State College 18:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale State College than Penn State Altoona ($9,655 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 3% lower than at Farmingdale State College ($14,474 vs. $14,926).
• Penn State Altoona is 85.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale (about $7,346 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.4% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Farmingdale State College (about $8,422 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $18,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Farmingdale State College (78% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 23.5% larger than aid received by Farmingdale State College students ($11,088 vs. $8,977).

SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale 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 SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 40 points higher than at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale (1140).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Farmingdale State College 1040/1240; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Farmingdale State College 20/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale (3.26).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale State College's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Farmingdale State College graduates have a $10,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($16,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($165 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.