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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona

Altoona, PA · City · 2,367 students
Website Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$22,213
Average net priceYour net price
In-state
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
17%
Graduation rate
$63,435
Earnings 10 years on
98%
Acceptance rate
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Penn State Altoona is a dynamic commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University that combines the prestige and vast resources of a major research institution with the individualized attention of a small residential college. The campus offers over 20 standalone four-year degrees with notable strengths in nursing, business, electro-mechanical engineering technology, and the nation's only undergraduate program in rail transportation engineering, while also serving as a popular launchpad for the university's 2+2 transition plan to University Park. Set on a scenic 171-acre campus featuring its iconic reflecting pond, student culture is close-knit and active, offering NCAA Division III athletics, dozens of student organizations, and abundant opportunities for faculty-mentored undergraduate research.

Wikipedia:Penn State Altoona is a public satellite campus of Pennsylvania State University located in Logan Township, Pennsylvania. It is one of four four-year institutions in the university's Commonwealth Campus network. The full-time student count was 2,577 in 2023.

Location
Altoona, PA, 16601-3777 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PIT · Pittsburgh
96 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$15,972$26,958
Housing & food (on campus)$14,474$14,474
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$32,559$43,545 est.
Average net price$22,213Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$26,958
In-state: $15,972
Housing & food (on campus)$14,474
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$43,545 est.
In-state: $32,559
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $22,213
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students
$0–30k
$16,017
$30–48k
$16,546
$48–75k
$19,464
$75–110k
$23,562
$110k+
$28,263
Grants from the school
72% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $7,576
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
17%
Within 4 yrs
12%
Back for yr 2
80%
Transferred
46%
Pell students: 16.6% · others: 16.0% 
8 yrs after starting
15% graduated · 70% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 14% left or unknown
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$55,620
10 yrs after entry$63,435
Debt
Median at graduation$25,000
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$8.8k–$27k
90th percentile$34,000
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
98%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1187
R 530–650 · M 540–640
SAT middle 50%: 1070–1290
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 98.2% · women 97.9% 
Yield: 10.3% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 54%Women 46%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
29%
First-gen
29%
Family income
$61,924
Independent
20%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
2%
Where first-years come from
In state (PA)
60.6%
Out of state
34.6%
International
4.7%

Most out-of-state first-years from: NY 51 · NJ 50 · VA 39 · MD 29 · CA 21

Race & ethnicity
White
68%
Hispanic
10%
Black
8%
Asian
5%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
5%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$55,620
After 10 yrs
$63,435
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing72
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians32
Business/Commerce, General27
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods25
Criminal Justice and Corrections16
Psychology, General14
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness12
Accounting and Related Services11
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services10
Communication and Media Studies9
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management9
Natural Resources Conservation and Research8
Civil Engineering8
Biology, General7
Computer and Information Sciences, General5
History5
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$46M
Full-time faculty
77%
Faculty salary
$9,491/mo
Teaching spend
$3,624
per student
Federal loans
54%

Wondering if Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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