Guilford College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Altoona is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Guilford College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford 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 Guilford College ($21,618 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 7.4% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,400 vs. $14,474).
• Guilford College is 159% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $25,390 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.4% higher at Guilford College than at Penn State Altoona (about $14,404 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 201.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($33,419 vs. $11,088).

Guilford College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Guilford College (80%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Guilford College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford 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).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Guilford College graduates have a $183 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,635 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Guilford College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($275 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 51%)

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.