TCNJ vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

TCNJ vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ 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 TCNJ ($21,618 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 3.4% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($14,474 vs. $14,976).
• The College of New Jersey is 22.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $3,660 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Penn State Altoona than at The College of New Jersey (about $1,206 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at The College of New Jersey (78% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($13,360 vs. $11,088).

TCNJ vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ 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 TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 60 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming TCNJ 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: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

TCNJ vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.