Lehigh vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lehigh vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh 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 Lehigh ($21,618 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 15.9% lower than at Lehigh University ($14,474 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 306.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $49,008 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141% higher at Lehigh than at Penn State Altoona (about $38,022 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Lehigh University (78% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 321.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($46,731 vs. $11,088).

Lehigh vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lehigh 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 Lehigh.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 260 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Lehigh 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: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Lehigh vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh 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).

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $33,900 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,562 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($250 vs. $277).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.