Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah, NJ with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ramapo College of New Jersey is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (5,981 students vs. 2,371 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ramapo College of New Jersey is located in Mahwah, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ramapo College of New Jersey 17:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ramapo College of New Jersey or Penn State Altoona? 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 Ramapo College of New Jersey than Penn State Altoona ($17,566 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 15.4% lower than at Ramapo College of New Jersey ($14,474 vs. $17,102).
• Ramapo College of New Jersey is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $805 more per year; $16,777.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Ramapo College of New Jersey than at Penn State Altoona (about $750 more per year; $27,708.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at Ramapo College of New Jersey (78% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ramapo College of New Jersey students is 13.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($12,580 vs. $11,088).

Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ramapo College of New Jersey or Penn State Altoona? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Altoona and Ramapo College of New Jersey.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ramapo College of New Jersey (1220) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Ramapo College of New Jersey students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ramapo College of New Jersey 1130/1300; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ramapo College of New Jersey 22/30; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ramapo College of New Jersey - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ramapo College of New Jersey Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Ramapo College of New Jersey students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Ramapo College of New Jersey (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Ramapo College of New Jersey vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ramapo College of New Jersey and Penn State Altoona? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Ramapo College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,972 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,846 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($236 vs. $277).
• More Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.