Rutgers University-Camden vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Camden is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (5,675 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University Camden is located in Camden, NJ (Small City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Rutgers University Camden is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University Camden 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Rutgers University-Camden vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Camden 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 Rutgers University Camden than Penn State Altoona ($19,821 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University Camden are 0.7% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($14,376 vs. $14,474).
• Rutgers University Camden is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $1,792 more per year; $17,764.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at Rutgers University-Camden than at Penn State Altoona (about $10,318 more per year; $37,276.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University Camden than at Penn State Altoona (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Camden students is 50.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($16,726 vs. $11,088).

Rutgers University-Camden vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Camden 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 Rutgers University-Camden.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University Camden (1180) is the same as at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Rutgers University-Camden).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Camden 1050/1300; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Camden 19/25; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Camden - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Rutgers University-Camden (3.23).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Rutgers University-Camden (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 2.4% at Rutgers University-Camden vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Rutgers University-Camden vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Camden 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).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Rutgers University Camden's (61%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Camden earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Camden graduates have a $4,603 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Camden graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($229 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Camden students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.