Salisbury vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Salisbury vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury 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 Salisbury University than Penn State Altoona ($18,760 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 4% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,900 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 44.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $4,888 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Salisbury University (about $4,784 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Penn State Altoona (88% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 21.5% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($11,088 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salisbury 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 Salisbury.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Salisbury (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Salisbury vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury 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).

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $6,665 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($20,153 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($208 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury 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.