Xavier vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Xavier University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (5,501 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Xavier University is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Xavier University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Xavier University 10:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Xavier vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Xavier 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 Xavier ($21,618 vs. $33,623).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Xavier University are 3.8% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,920 vs. $14,474).
• Xavier University is 217.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $34,668 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.8% higher at Xavier than at Penn State Altoona (about $23,682 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Xavier University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 189.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($32,088 vs. $11,088).

Xavier vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Xavier 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 Xavier.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Xavier University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Xavier 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: Xavier University 1103/1310; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Xavier University 22/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Xavier - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Xavier students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Xavier (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.3% at Xavier vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Xavier vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Xavier 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).

• Xavier University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Penn State Altoona's (65%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $800 more per year than Xavier graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $54,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Xavier graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Xavier graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Xavier graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Altoona students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.