Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Gettysburg College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,812 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gettysburg College 10:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gettysburg College 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 Gettysburg College ($21,618 vs. $32,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 10.2% lower than at Gettysburg College ($14,474 vs. $16,110).
• Gettysburg College is 317.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $50,668 more per year; $66,640.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.2% higher at Gettysburg College than at Penn State Altoona (about $39,682 more per year; $66,640.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Penn State Altoona (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gettysburg College students is 343.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($49,191 vs. $11,088).

Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gettysburg College 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 Gettysburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gettysburg College (1370) is 190 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Gettysburg College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gettysburg College 1270/1460; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gettysburg College 29/32; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gettysburg College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Gettysburg College (38.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Gettysburg College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gettysburg College 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).

• Gettysburg College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Gettysburg College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have a $4,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($227 vs. $277).
• More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.