Lycoming College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Lycoming College in Williamsport, 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 Lycoming College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lycoming College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lycoming 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 Lycoming College than Penn State Altoona ($20,492 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 0.9% lower than at Lycoming College ($14,474 vs. $14,612).
• Lycoming College is 213.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $34,057 more per year; $50,029.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.6% higher at Lycoming College than at Penn State Altoona (about $23,071 more per year; $50,029.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lycoming College than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lycoming College students is 292% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($43,470 vs. $11,088).

Lycoming College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lycoming College (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lycoming College 1080/1300; 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: Lycoming College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Lycoming College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Lycoming College (74.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Lycoming College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Lycoming College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lycoming 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).

• Lycoming College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Lycoming College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Lycoming College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lycoming College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Lycoming College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.