UM-Dearborn vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

University of Michigan Dearborn is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (8,104 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Michigan Dearborn is located in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Michigan Dearborn is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Michigan Dearborn 16:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

UM-Dearborn vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM-Dearborn 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 Michigan Dearborn than Penn State Altoona ($11,521 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 22.3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($11,241 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM-Dearborn (about $332 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22% higher at UM-Dearborn than at Penn State Altoona (about $5,938 more per year; $32,896.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at Penn State Altoona (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($12,124 vs. $11,088).

UM-Dearborn vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM-Dearborn 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 UM-Dearborn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 60 points higher than at UM-Dearborn (1120).
• Incoming UM-Dearborn 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: University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM-Dearborn - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at UM-Dearborn vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

UM-Dearborn vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM-Dearborn 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 Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UM-Dearborn graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Dearborn graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UM-Dearborn graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($266 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 46%)

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.