Penn State Altoona vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

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

George Mason University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Mason? 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 George Mason University than Penn State Altoona ($18,823 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 8% lower than at George Mason University ($14,474 vs. $15,725).
• Penn State Altoona is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $1,752 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at Mason than at Penn State Altoona (about $11,730 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at George Mason University (78% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Mason University students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($12,852 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Mason 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; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Mason (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Penn State Altoona vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Mason? 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 George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $7,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($204 vs. $277).
• More Mason 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.