Meredith vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Meredith College in Raleigh, NC 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 Meredith based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Meredith vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith 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 Meredith ($21,618 vs. $24,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 8.2% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,280 vs. $14,474).
• Meredith College is 185.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $29,658 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.3% higher at Meredith than at Penn State Altoona (about $18,672 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 198.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($33,116 vs. $11,088).

Meredith vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith 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 Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Meredith students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Meredith students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Meredith vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith 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 Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Meredith College graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Meredith graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.