Penn State Altoona vs. Hollins College

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Altoona is larger than Hollins College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 761 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Altoona vs. Hollins College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Hollins College? 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 Hollins College ($21,618 vs. $22,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 8.4% lower than at Hollins University ($14,474 vs. $15,800).
• Hollins University is 172.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $27,588 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.6% higher at Hollins College than at Penn State Altoona (about $16,602 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hollins University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hollins University students is 226.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($36,154 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Hollins College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hollins University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Hollins University 1150/1340.
• 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; Hollins College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hollins College students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Hollins College (68%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 9.6% at Hollins College.

Penn State Altoona vs. Hollins College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Hollins College? 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 Hollins University's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than Hollins College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Hollins College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hollins College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hollins College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.