LRC vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA 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 LRC based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

LRC vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC 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 LRC ($21,618 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 7.5% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,390 vs. $14,474).
• La Roche University is 113.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $18,080 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at LRC than at Penn State Altoona (about $7,094 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Roche University than at Penn State Altoona (81% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 108.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($23,083 vs. $11,088).

LRC vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or Penn State Altoona? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Altoona and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 110 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at LRC (3.2).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

LRC vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and Penn State Altoona? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.