Penn State Altoona vs. YCP

Comparable Facts

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

York College of Pennsylvania is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,825 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); York College of Pennsylvania is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. York College of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; York College of Pennsylvania 15:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. YCP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or YCP? 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 York College of Pennsylvania than Penn State Altoona ($20,096 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at York College of Pennsylvania are 6.3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,560 vs. $14,474).
• York College of Pennsylvania is 60.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $9,616 more per year; $25,588.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Penn State Altoona than at York College of Pennsylvania (about $1,370 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $25,588.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at York College of Pennsylvania than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by York College of Pennsylvania students is 57.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($17,427 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. YCP Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 30 points higher than at YCP (1150).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at YCP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; York College of Pennsylvania 1020/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; York College of Pennsylvania 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; YCP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: YCP Aug 23, 2027.
• Accepted freshman YCP students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than YCP (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 14.6% at YCP.

Penn State Altoona vs. YCP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and YCP? 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 York College of Pennsylvania's (60%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than YCP graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, York College of Pennsylvania graduates have a $323 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,495 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, YCP graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More YCP 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.