Penn State Altoona vs. University of Scranton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Scranton is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (4,724 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); University of Scranton is in Scranton, PA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Scranton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; University of Scranton 11:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. University of Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or University of Scranton? 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 University of Scranton ($21,618 vs. $34,234).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 16.7% lower than at University of Scranton ($14,474 vs. $17,380).
• University of Scranton is 238% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $38,011 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.2% higher at University of Scranton than at Penn State Altoona (about $27,025 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Scranton than at Penn State Altoona (96% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Scranton students is 221.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($35,606 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. University of Scranton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Scranton (1240) is 60 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming University of Scranton 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; University of Scranton 1160/1318.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; University of Scranton 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; University of Scranton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Scranton Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Scranton students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than University of Scranton (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 11.3% at University of Scranton.

Penn State Altoona vs. University of Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and University of Scranton? 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).

• University of Scranton's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from University of Scranton earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than University of Scranton graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Scranton graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More University of Scranton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.