Walsh College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Walsh University in North Canton, OH 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 Walsh College based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 2,192 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Walsh University is located in North Canton, OH (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Walsh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Walsh University 14:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Walsh College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Walsh 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 Walsh College ($21,618 vs. $23,933).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Walsh University are 15.9% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($12,170 vs. $14,474).
• Walsh University is 123.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $19,773 more per year; $35,745.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.6% higher at Walsh College than at Penn State Altoona (about $8,787 more per year; $35,745.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Walsh University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Walsh University students is 116% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($23,946 vs. $11,088).

Walsh College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 20 points higher than at Walsh College (1160).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Walsh College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Walsh University 1040/1280; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Walsh University 20/27; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Walsh College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Walsh College (3.38).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Walsh College (70.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Walsh College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Walsh College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Walsh 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).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Walsh University's (60%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Walsh College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $1,015 lower median loan debt than Walsh College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,833).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Walsh College graduates ($277 vs. $287).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Walsh College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.