Long Island University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Long Island University in Brookville, NY with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Long Island University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Long Island University is located in Brookville, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Long Island University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Long Island University 15:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Long Island University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Long Island 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 Penn State Altoona than Long Island University ($21,618 vs. $24,867).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 18.9% lower than at Long Island University ($14,474 vs. $17,846).
• Long Island University is 165.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $26,460 more per year; $42,432.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.4% higher at Long Island University than at Penn State Altoona (about $15,474 more per year; $42,432.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Long Island University than at Penn State Altoona (97% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Long Island University students is 176.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($30,635 vs. $11,088).

Long Island University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Long Island 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 Long Island University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Long Island University (1230) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Long Island University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Altoona (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Long Island University 1110/1350; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Long Island University 21/30; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Long Island University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Long Island University (3.36).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Long Island University (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8% at Long Island University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Long Island University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Long Island 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).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Long Island University's (42%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $700 more per year than Long Island University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Long Island University graduates have a $1,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($25,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Long Island University graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Long Island University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.