Fisher vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. John Fisher University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,693 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St. John Fisher University 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Fisher vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher 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 Fisher ($21,618 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 2.9% lower than at St. John Fisher University ($14,474 vs. $14,908).
• St. John Fisher University is 157.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $25,218 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.8% higher at Fisher than at Penn State Altoona (about $14,232 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 121.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($24,530 vs. $11,088).

Fisher vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher 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 Fisher.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Fisher students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Altoona (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fisher students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Fisher vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $2,918 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($23,900 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($247 vs. $277).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.