Ithaca College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Ithaca College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (4,767 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Ithaca College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ithaca 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 Ithaca College ($21,618 vs. $35,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 10.6% lower than at Ithaca College ($14,474 vs. $16,192).
• Ithaca College is 235.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $37,568 more per year; $53,540.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.6% higher at Ithaca College than at Penn State Altoona (about $26,582 more per year; $53,540.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ithaca College students is 201.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($33,450 vs. $11,088).

Ithaca College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ithaca College (1310) is 130 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Ithaca College 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: Ithaca College 1230/1390; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ithaca College 27/30; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ithaca College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Ithaca College (69%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Ithaca College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Ithaca College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ithaca 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).

• Ithaca College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Ithaca College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ithaca College graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Ithaca College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($266 vs. $277).
• More Ithaca College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.