Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, MI with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Detroit Mercy is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (5,587 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Detroit Mercy is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Detroit Mercy is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Detroit Mercy 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit 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 University of Detroit Mercy than Penn State Altoona ($16,790 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Detroit Mercy are 24.3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($10,952 vs. $14,474).
• University of Detroit Mercy is 106.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $16,974 more per year; $32,946.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit than at Penn State Altoona (about $5,988 more per year; $32,946.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Detroit Mercy than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Detroit Mercy students is 128.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($25,381 vs. $11,088).

Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit 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 Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 30 points higher than at Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit (1150).
• Incoming Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Altoona (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Detroit Mercy 1030/1260; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Detroit Mercy 22/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit 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 University of Detroit Mercy's (57%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Detroit Mercy graduates have a $3,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.