Penn State Altoona vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Christopher Newport University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or CNU? 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 CNU ($21,618 vs. $23,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 13.9% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($12,460 vs. $14,474).
• Christopher Newport University is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $856 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at CNU than at Penn State Altoona (about $4,220 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Christopher Newport University (78% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($11,088 vs. $10,494).

Penn State Altoona vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona or CNU? 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 CNU and Penn State Altoona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is the same as at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU 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: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than CNU (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 18% at CNU.

Penn State Altoona vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and CNU? 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 Christopher Newport University's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.