Penn State Altoona vs. Pitt-Bradford

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Altoona is larger than Pitt-Bradford based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,009 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Altoona vs. Pitt-Bradford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Pitt-Bradford? 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 University of Pittsburgh Bradford than Penn State Altoona ($15,830 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Bradford are 19.2% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($11,696 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt-Bradford (about $1,202 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $14,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Penn State Altoona than at University of Pittsburgh Bradford (about $314 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $26,644.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Bradford than at Penn State Altoona (95% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pittsburgh Bradford students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($16,388 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Pitt-Bradford Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona or Pitt-Bradford? 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 Pitt-Bradford and Penn State Altoona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 70 points higher than at Pitt-Bradford (1110).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Pitt-Bradford).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; University of Pittsburgh Bradford 1010/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; University of Pittsburgh Bradford 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Pitt-Bradford - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Pitt-Bradford (3.28).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Pitt-Bradford (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 8.3% at Pitt-Bradford.

Penn State Altoona vs. Pitt-Bradford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Pitt-Bradford? 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 Pittsburgh Bradford's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Bradford earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $91 lower median loan debt than Pitt-Bradford graduates ($26,818 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt-Bradford graduates ($277 vs. $278).
• More Pitt-Bradford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.