Penn State Altoona vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Altoona vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($21,618 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 8.6% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($14,474 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 197.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $31,533 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.2% higher at Jefferson than at Penn State Altoona (about $20,547 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 215.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($35,007 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Jefferson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Jefferson (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Penn State Altoona vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $67,600 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($12,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($129 vs. $277).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.