Penn State Altoona vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harrisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,650 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 18:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than Penn State Altoona ($15,984 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are 23.7% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($11,040 vs. $14,474).
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is 52.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $8,428 more per year; $24,400.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (about $2,558 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $24,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students is 77.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($19,706 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Penn State Altoona.

• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (87.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 9.6% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Penn State Altoona vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's (9%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates have a $318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($274 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 43%)

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.