Youngstown State vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

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

Youngstown State University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (12,204 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, OH (Small City setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• Youngstown State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Youngstown State University 20:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Youngstown State vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State University than Penn State Altoona ($12,757 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Youngstown State University are 19% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($11,730 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Altoona is 43.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Youngstown State (about $4,859 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $11,113.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Youngstown State University (about $15,485 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $11,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Youngstown State University than at Penn State Altoona (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 31.7% larger than aid received by Youngstown State University students ($11,088 vs. $8,420).

Youngstown State vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State.

• Youngstown State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 60 points higher than at Youngstown State (1120).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Youngstown State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Youngstown State University 1010/1230; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Youngstown State University 19/25; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Youngstown State - Open admission; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Youngstown State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Youngstown State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Youngstown State (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.4% at Youngstown State vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Youngstown State vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than Youngstown State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Youngstown State graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Youngstown State graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Youngstown State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 36%)

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.