Ohio University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio University Main Campus in Athens, OH with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio University Main Campus is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (26,323 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio University Main Campus is located in Athens, OH (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Ohio University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio University Main Campus 18:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Ohio University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio 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 Ohio University ($21,618 vs. $21,907).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio University Main Campus are 2.2% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($14,162 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio University (about $1,814 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $14,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Ohio University Main Campus (about $2,120 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $24,838.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio University Main Campus than at Penn State Altoona (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students ($11,088 vs. $9,422).

Ohio University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio University Main Campus (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Ohio University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Altoona (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 1090/1290; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 22/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ohio University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Ohio University (85%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at Ohio University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Ohio University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio 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).

• The graduation rate at Ohio University is the same as at Penn State Altoona (65% vs. 65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Ohio University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio University Main Campus graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Ohio University graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 51%)

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.