Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus in Indiana, PA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (9,073 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is located in Indiana, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 23:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus than Penn State Altoona ($17,626 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus are 8.2% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,286 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 40.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (about $4,592 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $11,380.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.4% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus (about $10,661 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $16,297.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 21.1% larger than aid received by Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus students ($11,088 vs. $9,154).

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 100 points higher than at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (1080).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 970/1180; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 20/27; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (3.39).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (90.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24% at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus's (52%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

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.