Rowan University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Rowan University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (21,026 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rowan University is located in Glassboro, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Rowan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rowan University 17:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Rowan University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rowan University 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 Penn State Altoona than Rowan University ($21,618 vs. $23,761).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 14.5% lower than at Rowan University ($14,474 vs. $16,928).
• Rowan University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $602 more per year; $16,574.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Rowan University (about $26 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $26,932.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rowan University than at Penn State Altoona (93% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rowan University students is 12% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($12,419 vs. $11,088).

Rowan University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rowan University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Rowan University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 1110/1310; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 23/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rowan University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Rowan University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Rowan University (77.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at Rowan University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Rowan University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rowan University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Rowan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rowan University graduates have a $6,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rowan University graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($206 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rowan University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.