UM-Flint vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

University of Michigan Flint is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (6,529 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Michigan Flint is located in Flint, MI (Midsize City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Michigan Flint 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 Flint 14:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

UM-Flint vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM-Flint 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 Flint than Penn State Altoona ($7,852 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Flint are 3% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($14,042 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM-Flint (about $1,268 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $14,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at UM-Flint than at Penn State Altoona (about $1,362 more per year; $28,320.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Flint than at Penn State Altoona (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Flint students is 13.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($12,591 vs. $11,088).

UM-Flint vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 70 points higher than at UM-Flint (1110).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at UM-Flint).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Flint 970/1243; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Flint 19/24; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM-Flint - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UM-Flint Aug 22, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Flint students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than UM-Flint (70.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.6% at UM-Flint vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

UM-Flint vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM-Flint 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 Flint's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than UM-Flint graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than UM-Flint graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Flint graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Flint students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 40%)

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.