Penn State Altoona vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($21,618 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 18.2% lower than at Villanova University ($14,474 vs. $17,694).
• Villanova University is 324.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $51,804 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.4% higher at Villanova than at Penn State Altoona (about $40,818 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Villanova University (78% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 329.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($47,609 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Villanova University (1450) is 270 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Villanova students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Villanova (27%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Penn State Altoona vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Villanova University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $29,800 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Villanova University graduates have a $321 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,497 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Villanova graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.