JCU vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare John Carroll University in University Heights, OH with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

John Carroll University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,864 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• John Carroll University is located in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: John Carroll University 13:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

JCU vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCU 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 JCU ($21,618 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 0.3% lower than at John Carroll University ($14,474 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 216.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $34,528 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.3% higher at JCU than at Penn State Altoona (about $23,542 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 222.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($35,785 vs. $11,088).

JCU vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCU 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 JCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming JCU 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: John Carroll University 1180/1330; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: John Carroll University 25/32; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCU - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at JCU vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

JCU vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCU 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).

• John Carroll University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $121 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($26,818 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($277 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.