Salem College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Salem College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College 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 Salem College than Penn State Altoona ($18,668 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 5.3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,710 vs. $14,474).
• Salem College is 111.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $17,876 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.6% higher at Salem College than at Penn State Altoona (about $6,890 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 170.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($30,001 vs. $11,088).

Salem College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College 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 Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 30 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Salem College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College 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 Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.