Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than West Virginia University Tech based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); West Virginia University Institute of Technology is in Beckley, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; West Virginia University Institute of Technology 13:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Institute of Technology than Penn State Altoona ($11,281 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University Institute of Technology are 10.3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($12,986 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 89.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University Tech (about $7,548 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.9% higher at Penn State Altoona than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (about $5,886 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University Institute of Technology than at Penn State Altoona (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 10.1% larger than aid received by West Virginia University Institute of Technology students ($11,088 vs. $10,068).

Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona or West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Tech and Penn State Altoona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 180 points higher than at West Virginia University Tech (1000).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at West Virginia University Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; West Virginia University Institute of Technology 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; West Virginia University Institute of Technology 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; West Virginia University Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Virginia University Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman West Virginia University Tech students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than West Virginia University Tech (36.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 52.3% at West Virginia University Tech.

Penn State Altoona vs. West Virginia University Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Institute of Technology's (29%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than West Virginia University Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,817 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($24,001 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University Tech graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($248 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University Tech students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.