La Salle University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Salle University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,153 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Salle University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• La Salle 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 Salle University 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

La Salle University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Salle 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 La Salle University than Penn State Altoona ($18,069 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 11.5% lower than at La Salle University ($14,474 vs. $16,360).
• La Salle University is 136.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $21,828 more per year; $37,800.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.2% higher at La Salle University than at Penn State Altoona (about $10,842 more per year; $37,800.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Salle University than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Salle University students is 178.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($30,880 vs. $11,088).

La Salle University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Salle 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 La Salle University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 20 points higher than at La Salle University (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Salle University 1050/1268; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Salle University - Test-free; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman La Salle University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than La Salle University (96.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at La Salle University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

La Salle University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Salle 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).

• La Salle University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from La Salle University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than La Salle University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Salle University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Salle University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.