Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona (Penn State)
Public four-year college in Altoona, PA that costs an average of $21,714 a year after financial aid, admits 98% of applicants and graduates 16% of full-time students.
PublicSmall city2,367 undergraduates
Cost of Penn State
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $30,876 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $16,004 |
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $27,254 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $15,346 |
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| Average net price after aid | $21,714 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $15,732 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $16,221 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $15,559 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $19,953 |
| $110,001+ | $29,007 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with Penn State's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 98% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,187 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 530–650 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 540–640 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 22–28 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 16% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 80% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $60,829 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $71,762 |
| Rank in Pennsylvania (earnings) | 35th of 113 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $24,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $278 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 35% |
| Students with federal loans | 59% |
Majors and programs at Penn State
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (24)
Certificate programs (8)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1 | $95,718 | $18,750 |
| Engineering | 11 | $74,477 | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 27 | $72,546 | $26,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 1 | $65,324 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1 | $60,044 | $23,750 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 2 | $59,098 | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 1 | $52,980 | $26,945 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 1 | — | $27,000 |
Associate's degree programs (4)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | — | $58,264 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2 | $39,818 | $16,000 |
| Business/Commerce | 4 | $38,044 | $13,687 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5 | — | $16,625 |
Similar colleges in Pennsylvania
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln University | Lincoln University | $13,517 | 66% | $53,919 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg | $21,129 | 87% | $58,077 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington | Abington | $14,429 | 97% | $71,762 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg | $21,084 | 92% | $59,893 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | Reading | $19,570 | 99% | $71,762 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown | $16,375 | 95% | $73,113 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Erie | $23,165 | 97% | $71,762 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville | $18,817 | 86% | $58,443 |
About Penn State
| Type | Public four-year college |
|---|---|
| Location | Altoona, PA |
| Setting | Small city |
| Undergraduates | 2,367 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | altoona.psu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Penn State's acceptance rate?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona admits 98% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,187 on the SAT.
How much does Penn State cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $30,876 a year (tuition and fees: $16,004 in-state, $27,254 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $21,714 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $15,732.
How much do Penn State graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $71,762 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 35th of 113 similar colleges in Pennsylvania. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer and information sciences ($84,461 a year after graduation).
What is Penn State's graduation rate?
16% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 80% of first-year students return for a second year.