Penn State Altoona vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Altoona vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University than Penn State Altoona ($16,419 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 2.7% lower than at Old Dominion University ($14,474 vs. $14,878).
• Penn State Altoona is 25.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $3,222 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.3% higher at Old Dominion than at Penn State Altoona (about $6,822 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at Penn State Altoona (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($11,740 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Old Dominion (90.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

Penn State Altoona vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $3,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.