Wittenberg University vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Wittenberg University in Springfield, 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 Wittenberg University based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 1,285 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wittenberg University is located in Springfield, OH (Small City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Wittenberg University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wittenberg University 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Wittenberg University vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wittenberg University 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 Wittenberg University ($21,618 vs. $23,537).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wittenberg University are 16.9% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($12,022 vs. $14,474).
• Wittenberg University is 187.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $29,968 more per year; $45,940.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.4% higher at Wittenberg University than at Penn State Altoona (about $18,982 more per year; $45,940.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wittenberg University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wittenberg University students is 211.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($34,556 vs. $11,088).

Wittenberg University vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wittenberg University 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 Wittenberg University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 50 points higher than at Wittenberg University (1130).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Wittenberg University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wittenberg University 980/1275; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wittenberg University 21/28; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wittenberg University - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wittenberg University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Wittenberg University (72.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Wittenberg University vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Wittenberg University vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wittenberg University 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).

• Wittenberg University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Wittenberg University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Wittenberg University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wittenberg University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Wittenberg University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.