SUNY Cortland vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, 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 Cortland is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland 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 Cortland 15:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland 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 Cortland than Penn State Altoona ($19,847 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 7% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($14,474 vs. $15,560).
• Penn State Altoona is 80% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $7,098 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at Penn State Altoona than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $8,174 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at State University of New York at Cortland (78% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 34.3% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($11,088 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland 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 SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 10 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

SUNY Cortland vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland 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 Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($222 vs. $277).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.