UHart vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

University of Hartford is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (6,015 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hartford is located in West Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Hartford 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 Hartford 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

UHart vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHart 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 UHart ($21,618 vs. $31,261).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 0.4% lower than at University of Hartford ($14,474 vs. $14,532).
• University of Hartford is 207.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $33,103 more per year; $49,075.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82% higher at UHart than at Penn State Altoona (about $22,117 more per year; $49,075.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Hartford than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Hartford students is 201.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($33,446 vs. $11,088).

UHart vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHart 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 UHart.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hartford (1220) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming UHart 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: University of Hartford 1120/1310; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hartford 24/30; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHart - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at UHart (3.26).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than UHart (95.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10% at UHart vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

UHart vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHart 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 Hartford's (56%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than UHart graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than UHart graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UHart graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More UHart graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.