Penn State Altoona vs. Saint Francis University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Francis University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,963 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Saint Francis University is in Loretto, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Francis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Saint Francis University 16:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Saint Francis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University ($21,618 vs. $28,326).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Francis University are 6.7% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,500 vs. $14,474).
• Saint Francis University is 175.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $28,028 more per year; $44,000.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.2% higher at Saint Francis University than at Penn State Altoona (about $17,042 more per year; $44,000.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Francis University than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Francis University students is 185.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($31,610 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Saint Francis University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona or Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University and Penn State Altoona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 40 points higher than at Saint Francis University (1140).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Saint Francis University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Saint Francis University 1050/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Saint Francis University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Saint Francis University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Francis University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Saint Francis University (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 19.6% at Saint Francis University.

Penn State Altoona vs. Saint Francis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University's (64%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Saint Francis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Saint Francis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.