Lafayette College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lafayette College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lafayette 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 Lafayette College ($21,618 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 27.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($14,474 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 309.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $49,426 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.6% higher at Lafayette College than at Penn State Altoona (about $38,440 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Lafayette College (78% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 303.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($44,707 vs. $11,088).

Lafayette College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 250 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 1350/1500; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lafayette College 31/33; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lafayette College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lafayette College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Lafayette College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lafayette 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $25,700 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.