Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Altoona, Pennsylvania |
| Online | psu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Penn State Altoona, located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is a public institution established in 1939 as an extension campus of the Pennsylvania State University. This undergraduate college features a suburban setting approximately 45 minutes from State College and two hours east of Pittsburgh. Penn State Altoona offers more than 40 degree programs, with particular strengths in engineering, business, nursing, and criminal justice. The campus is home to modern facilities, including the Sheetz Family Health Center and the Ivyside Science Building. Penn State Altoona's admissions process is moderately selective. Housing is available for students in on-campus residence halls, such as Cedar and Spruce Halls, which include Living Learning Communities to enhance educational experiences. While Penn State Altoona does not have an extensive focus on athletics, it supports a range of Division III sports teams known as the Altoona Lions.
In the most recent statistical year 7,523 prospective students applied, and 7,204 were granted admission. Of those admitted 905 enrolled in the school. 2,499 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 78 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $15,388 plus fees of $516. Penn State Altoona is ranked 584 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Penn State Altoona is rated within the top 50% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Penn State Altoona within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#584 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#186 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#50 in Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
#7 in Best Public Colleges in Pennsylvania
#580 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#50 in Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1050/1250 |
| ACT | 21/28 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.4 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $65 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Pennsylvania Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,840 |
| Other Fees | $516 |
| Room and Board | $12,984 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,788 |
| Total One Year Cost | $35,516 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,840 |
| Other Fees | $516 |
| Room and Board | $12,984 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,788 |
| Total One Year Cost | $45,982 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 19% |
| Business | 17% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 13% |
| Engineering | 7% |
| Education | 6% |
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Students considering Penn State Altoona are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Penn State Altoona.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=214689 IPEDS survey data for Penn State Altoona.
Current students may use the Penn State Altoona GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024