Houghton University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Houghton University in Houghton, NY 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 Houghton University based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Houghton University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton 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 Houghton University than Penn State Altoona ($21,274 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 21.5% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($11,360 vs. $14,474).
• Houghton University is 15.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $2,458 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.3% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Houghton University (about $8,528 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 12% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($11,088 vs. $9,902).

Houghton University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Houghton University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Houghton University (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Houghton University 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).

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University graduates have a $1,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($25,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Houghton University graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.