Mercy vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Mercy vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy 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 Mercy University than Penn State Altoona ($15,200 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 5.1% lower than at Mercy University ($14,474 vs. $15,250).
• Mercy University is 43.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $6,908 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Mercy University (about $4,078 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 59.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($17,664 vs. $11,088).

Mercy vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy 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 Mercy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 50 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Mercy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Mercy vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy 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 Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $3,119 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($23,699 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($245 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 40%)

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.