Wagner College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Wagner College in Staten Island, NY 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 Wagner College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,001 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wagner College is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Wagner College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wagner College 11:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Wagner College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wagner College 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 Wagner College ($21,618 vs. $28,033).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 12.2% lower than at Wagner College ($14,474 vs. $16,485).
• Wagner College is 233.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $37,228 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.3% higher at Wagner College than at Penn State Altoona (about $26,242 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wagner College than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wagner College students is 241.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($37,897 vs. $11,088).

Wagner College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wagner College 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 Wagner College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wagner College (1240) is 60 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Wagner College 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: Wagner College 1190/1290; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wagner College 23/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wagner College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wagner College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wagner College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Wagner College (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Wagner College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Wagner College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wagner College 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).

• Wagner College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Wagner College earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wagner College graduates have a $439 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($26,379 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Wagner College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($272 vs. $277).
• More Wagner College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.