Penn State Altoona vs. Point Park University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Point Park University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,448 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Point Park University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Park University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Point Park University 12:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Point Park University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Point Park University? 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 Point Park University ($21,618 vs. $26,502).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Park University are 3.6% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,960 vs. $14,474).
• Point Park University is 147.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $23,598 more per year; $39,570.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.8% higher at Point Park University than at Penn State Altoona (about $12,612 more per year; $39,570.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Park University than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Point Park University students is 135.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($26,159 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Point Park University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 40 points higher than at Point Park University (1140).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Point Park University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Point Park University 1035/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Point Park University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Point Park University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Point Park University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Point Park University (96.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 10.2% at Point Park University.

Penn State Altoona vs. Point Park University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Point Park University? 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 Point Park University's (50%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Point Park University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Point Park University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Point Park University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Point Park University 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.