Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Altoona, PA 16601-3777
About Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a public four-year university in Altoona, Pennsylvania, enrolling about 2,367 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 98.06% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $63,435 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Versus the Pennsylvania median, sticker tuition is 18% below.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 16.50%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $63,435.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 614% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | $15,972 | $22,213 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Pennsylvania (state median) | $19,450 | $17,754 | 181 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona really?
Key findings
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona charges about 2.9× the national public median tuition ($15,972).
- Versus the Pennsylvania median, sticker tuition is 18% below.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $15,972
Finding Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona charges about 2.9× the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $15,972. That is about 2.9× the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Pennsylvania median ($19,450), sticker tuition is 18% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 34% above.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is $22,213.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $22,213 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $4,460 above the Pennsylvania median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $7,242 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
$26,958
Avg. net price
$22,213
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $16,017 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $16,546 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $19,464 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $23,562 |
| $110,001+ | $28,263 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $63,888. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is known for
Top program completions
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other59
- Business/Commerce, General37
- Electromechanical/Electromechanical Engineering Technology/Technician26
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels21
- Psychology, General21
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 12% of admitted students enrolled.
- Average SAT: 1187
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona.
Campus
Location
Altoona, PA
City / state
- ZIP
- 16601-3777
- NCES locale
- Town
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 48% above the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Mid East
Size
Enrollment
2,367
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 2,507
- Full-time share
- 98%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$25,000
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 29.37%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $14,240 | $21,302 | $22,976 |
| 2014 | $14,588 | $21,820 | $22,193 |
| 2015 | $14,610 | $22,344 | $23,969 |
| 2016 | $14,828 | $22,834 | $24,696 |
| 2017 | $15,190 | $23,692 | $23,927 |
| 2018 | $15,198 | $24,450 | $24,274 |
| 2019 | $15,206 | $24,916 | — |
| 2022 | $15,904 | $26,370 | $24,385 |
| 2023 | $15,944 | $26,668 | $24,699 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Average 1187 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
Estimated from admission selectivity and test scores. Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
Estimated range · median 3.20
Estimated GPA band from selectivity and test scores — not an official requirement.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona reported total enrollment of about 2,367 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 54% male and 46% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (68.4%), Hispanic or Latino (9.5%), and Black or African American (7.9%). About 29.37% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 28.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona in 2024 is 2,367 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,507 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
79.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
12.37% 100% Completion Time
16.50% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 12.37% of students graduating from Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other: 8% male / 92% female
- Business/Commerce, General: 76% male / 24% female
- Electromechanical/Electromechanical Engineering Technology/Technician: 85% male / 15% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $63,435. Median federal loan debt: $25,000. Average net price used in cost models: $22,213.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates report median earnings of $63,435 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (29 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates.
Institutional resources
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona—instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 76.9%
- Pennsylvania median 13.8 pp above median (63.1%)
- Mid East median 20.0 pp above median (56.9%)
- U.S. median 18.9 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $9,491
- Pennsylvania median 1.2× the median ($8,003)
- Mid East median 1.2× the median ($8,119)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $3,624
- Pennsylvania median 0.42× the median ($8,615)
- Mid East median 0.40× the median ($9,164)
- U.S. median 0.50× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona at a glance
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a public institution in Altoona, PA.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, OtherBusiness/Commerce, GeneralElectromechanical/Electromechanical Engineering Technology/Technician
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian68.4%Hispanic or Latino9.5%Black or African American7.9%
Schools near Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Other campuses in Altoona, PA when available, plus nearby institutions in Pennsylvania.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C-) within Pennsylvania, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona located?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA.
What is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is 98.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 7,134 applicants and 6,942 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's tuition?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $15,972 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $22,213 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona cost?
Reported tuition is $15,972 and average net price is $22,213 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,474 annually.
What explains Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($22,213), completion (16.5% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($63,435). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,507 students, White (68.4%), Hispanic or Latino (9.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
About 28.8% of students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona reports midpoint SAT about 1187.
What do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona earn?
Median earnings are $55,620 six years after entry and $63,435 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
The 150%-time completion rate is 16.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,000.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona public or private?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a public institution located in Altoona, PA.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.