Penn State Altoona Demographics & Diversity

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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Low

Racial Diversity Index: 39%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Penn State Altoona are mostly White with a small Black population. The school has low racial diversity. 23% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Penn State Altoona students
Race Percent of Students
White
77%
Black
7%
Hispanic
6%
Asian
3%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
2%
International
5%
Race Unknown
1%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 16% more male students than female students enrolled at Penn State Altoona with a gender ratio of 54% men to 46% women. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Penn State Altoona has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Penn State Altoona students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
54%
Women
46%
Enrollment by gender for Penn State Altoona students
Gender Number of Students
Men
1,272
Women
1,099

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 40%

Penn State Altoona draws 61 percent of students from Pennsylvania, 35 percent from other states, and 5 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Pennsylvania, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Penn State Altoona students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
61%
Out of State
35%
Foreign
5%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$63,381 per year

34% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

2,371
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 6%
Part-time undergraduates 3.3%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Penn State Altoona often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=214689.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026