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

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Oswego in Oswego, 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 Oswego is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (6,715 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

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

Which college is more expensive, State University of New York at Oswego 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 Oswego than Penn State Altoona ($15,853 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 11.1% lower than at State University of New York at Oswego ($14,474 vs. $16,290).
• Penn State Altoona is 81% more expensive for in-state tuition than State University of New York at Oswego (about $7,147 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,825.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.9% higher at Penn State Altoona than at State University of New York at Oswego (about $8,223 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $18,735.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at Oswego than at Penn State Altoona (85% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 0.8% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Oswego students ($11,088 vs. $11,004).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 10 points higher than at State University of New York at Oswego (1170).
• Incoming State University of New York at Oswego students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Oswego 1070/1270; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Oswego 23/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: State University of New York at Oswego - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: State University of New York at Oswego Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman State University of New York at Oswego students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) 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 Oswego (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at State University of New York at Oswego vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

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

How do outcomes compare for State University of New York at Oswego 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 State University of New York at Oswego's (57%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than State University of New York at Oswego graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Oswego graduates have a $5,303 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($21,515 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, State University of New York at Oswego graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($222 vs. $277).
• More State University of New York at Oswego graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.