USAO vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is located in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

USAO vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USAO 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma than Penn State Altoona ($8,070 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are 24.4% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($10,940 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 77.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USAO (about $6,972 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $9,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.5% higher at Penn State Altoona than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (about $6,768 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $20,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at Penn State Altoona (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($13,068 vs. $11,088).

USAO vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USAO 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 USAO.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at USAO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USAO - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USAO students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.7% at USAO vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

USAO vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USAO 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma's (39%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $19,200 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 54%)

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.