Manhattan University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Manhattan University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,225 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Manhattan University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Manhattan 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 Manhattan University ($21,618 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 23% lower than at Manhattan University ($14,474 vs. $18,800).
• Manhattan University is 234.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $37,428 more per year; $53,400.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.1% higher at Manhattan University than at Penn State Altoona (about $26,442 more per year; $53,400.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Manhattan University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Manhattan University students is 207.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($34,078 vs. $11,088).

Manhattan University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Manhattan 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 Manhattan University.

• Manhattan University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Manhattan University (1270) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Manhattan University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Manhattan University 1180/1358; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Manhattan University 25/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Manhattan University - Open admission; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Manhattan University Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Manhattan University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Manhattan University (78.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8% at Manhattan University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Manhattan University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Manhattan 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).

• Manhattan University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Manhattan University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,700 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Manhattan University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Manhattan University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Manhattan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.