State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State Altoona

Deciding between State University of New York at New Paltz and Penn State Altoona? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

State University of New York at New Paltz

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NY
  • Penn State Altoona Altoona, PA
  • Setting
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Town Fringe
  • Penn State Altoona Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 7,898
  • Penn State Altoona 2,371
  • Type
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Public 4 Year
  • Penn State Altoona Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • State University of New York at New Paltz #288
  • Penn State Altoona #604
  • Religious Affiliation
  • State University of New York at New Paltz -
  • Penn State Altoona -
  • Status
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Non-profit
  • Penn State Altoona Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • State University of New York at New Paltz
  • Penn State Altoona

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $8,572
  • Penn State Altoona $15,972
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $18,822
  • Penn State Altoona $26,958
  • Room & Board
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $16,684
  • Penn State Altoona $14,474
  • Average Net Price
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $18,051
  • Penn State Altoona $21,618
  • Average Grant Aid
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $10,087
  • Penn State Altoona $11,088
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 71%
  • Penn State Altoona 78%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Calculate
  • Penn State Altoona Calculate
  • Applied
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 17,232
  • Penn State Altoona 8,447
  • Admitted
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 10,616
  • Penn State Altoona 8,283
  • Acceptance Rate
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 61.6%
  • Penn State Altoona 98.1%
  • Enrolled
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 10.7%
  • Penn State Altoona 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 1260
  • Penn State Altoona 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 27
  • Penn State Altoona 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 3.6
  • Penn State Altoona 3.4
  • Typical High School Grades
  • State University of New York at New Paltz A-
  • Penn State Altoona B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Difficult
  • Penn State Altoona Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Low
  • Penn State Altoona
  • ACT Range
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29
  • Penn State Altoona 22/28
  • SAT Range
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340
  • Penn State Altoona 1070/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Test optional
  • Penn State Altoona Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027
  • Penn State Altoona

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1
  • Penn State Altoona 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • State University of New York at New Paltz
    • Education (22%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Penn State Altoona
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Education (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 69%
  • Penn State Altoona 65%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $47,400
  • Penn State Altoona $55,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 72%
  • Penn State Altoona 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $19,000
  • Penn State Altoona $26,818
  • Median Loan Payment
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $196
  • Penn State Altoona $277

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 36%
  • Penn State Altoona 54%
  • % Women
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 64%
  • Penn State Altoona 46%
  • Racial Diversity
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Medium
  • Penn State Altoona Low
  • HBCU
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • Penn State Altoona No
  • % White
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 63%
  • Penn State Altoona 77%
  • % Asian
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • Penn State Altoona 3%
  • % Black
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • Penn State Altoona 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 17%
  • Penn State Altoona 6%
  • % Native American
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 0%
  • Penn State Altoona 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 0%
  • Penn State Altoona 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 2%
  • Penn State Altoona 2%
  • % International
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 2%
  • Penn State Altoona 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 4%
  • Penn State Altoona 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 93%
  • Penn State Altoona 61%
  • % Out-of-State
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • Penn State Altoona 35%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Penn State Altoona Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • Penn State Altoona No
  • Meal Plan
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Penn State Altoona Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • Penn State Altoona No
  • Daycare Facility
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Penn State Altoona No
  • Learn More
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Details
  • Penn State Altoona Details

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at New Paltz in New Paltz, NY with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at New Paltz is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (7,898 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • State University of New York at New Paltz is located in New Paltz, NY (Town Fringe setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
  • State University of New York at New Paltz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, State University of New York at New Paltz 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 State University of New York at New Paltz than Penn State Altoona ($18,051 vs. $21,618).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 13.2% lower than at State University of New York at New Paltz ($14,474 vs. $16,684).
  • Penn State Altoona is 86.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than State University of New York at New Paltz (about $7,400 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,572.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.2% higher at Penn State Altoona than at State University of New York at New Paltz (about $8,136 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $18,822.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at State University of New York at New Paltz (78% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 9.9% larger than aid received by State University of New York at New Paltz students ($11,088 vs. $10,087).

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, State University of New York at New Paltz 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 State University of New York at New Paltz.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at New Paltz (1260) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
  • Incoming State University of New York at New Paltz students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: State University of New York at New Paltz - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman State University of New York at New Paltz students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
  • Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than State University of New York at New Paltz (61.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at State University of New York at New Paltz vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for State University of New York at New Paltz 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).

  • State University of New York at New Paltz's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
  • Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have a $7,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($196 vs. $277).
  • More State University of New York at New Paltz graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.