Nazareth University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Nazareth University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,401 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nazareth University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Nazareth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nazareth University 8:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Nazareth University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nazareth 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 Nazareth University ($21,618 vs. $30,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 10.9% lower than at Nazareth University ($14,474 vs. $16,250).
• Nazareth University is 165.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $26,478 more per year; $42,450.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Nazareth University than at Penn State Altoona (about $15,492 more per year; $42,450.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nazareth University than at Penn State Altoona (97% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nazareth University students is 146.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($27,292 vs. $11,088).

Nazareth University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nazareth University (1200) is 20 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Nazareth 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: Nazareth University 1070/1320; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nazareth University 23/32; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nazareth University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nazareth University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nazareth University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Nazareth University (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Nazareth University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Nazareth University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nazareth 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).

• Nazareth University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Nazareth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nazareth University graduates have a $317 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,501 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Nazareth University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($274 vs. $277).
• More Nazareth University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.