Penn State Altoona vs. University of Lynchburg

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Altoona is larger than University of Lynchburg based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,316 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); University of Lynchburg is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Lynchburg is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; University of Lynchburg 11:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. University of Lynchburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or University of Lynchburg? 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 University of Lynchburg ($21,618 vs. $23,845).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Lynchburg are 5.3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,700 vs. $14,474).
• University of Lynchburg is 130.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $20,778 more per year; $36,750.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.3% higher at University of Lynchburg than at Penn State Altoona (about $9,792 more per year; $36,750.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Lynchburg than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Lynchburg students is 138.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($26,491 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. University of Lynchburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 70 points higher than at University of Lynchburg (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; University of Lynchburg 980/1230.
• 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; University of Lynchburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Lynchburg Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Lynchburg students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than University of Lynchburg (43%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 14.7% at University of Lynchburg.

Penn State Altoona vs. University of Lynchburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and University of Lynchburg? 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 University of Lynchburg's (52%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than University of Lynchburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than University of Lynchburg graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Lynchburg graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More University of Lynchburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.