Monmouth University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Monmouth University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (4,767 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Monmouth University is located in West Long Branch, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Monmouth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Monmouth University 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Monmouth University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Monmouth 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 Monmouth University ($21,618 vs. $34,072).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 18.2% lower than at Monmouth University ($14,474 vs. $17,698).
• Monmouth University is 191.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $30,580 more per year; $46,552.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.7% higher at Monmouth University than at Penn State Altoona (about $19,594 more per year; $46,552.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monmouth University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Monmouth University students is 163.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($29,233 vs. $11,088).

Monmouth University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Monmouth University (1230) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Monmouth University 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: Monmouth University 1140/1310; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Monmouth University 24/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Monmouth University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monmouth University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Monmouth University 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 Monmouth University (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10% at Monmouth University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Monmouth University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Monmouth 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).

• Monmouth University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Monmouth University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,500 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Monmouth University graduates have a $117 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,701 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Monmouth University graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($276 vs. $277).
• More Monmouth University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.