Springfield College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Springfield College in Springfield, MA with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Springfield College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (2,599 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Springfield College is located in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Springfield College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Springfield College 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Springfield College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Springfield 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 Penn State Altoona than Springfield College ($21,618 vs. $30,039).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 1% lower than at Springfield College ($14,474 vs. $14,614).
• Springfield College is 182.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $29,202 more per year; $45,174.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.6% higher at Springfield College than at Penn State Altoona (about $18,216 more per year; $45,174.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Springfield College than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Springfield College students is 176.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($30,690 vs. $11,088).

Springfield College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Springfield College (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Springfield College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Springfield College 1080/1330; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Springfield College 27/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Springfield College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Springfield College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Springfield College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Springfield College (71.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19% at Springfield College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Springfield College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Springfield 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).

• Springfield College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Springfield College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Springfield College graduates have a $2,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Springfield College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($253 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Springfield College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 55%)

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.