Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
- Graduation Rate
- 17% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $63,435 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,213 D+
- 30% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.7 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $16.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,391,228.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 56% more than the national college median.
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Graduation of 17% — 70% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Matters
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a public university in Altoona, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Enrollment
- 2,367
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1290. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,213 a year after grants and scholarships — 30% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $63,435 ten years after enrolling — 56% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.39 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 2,367 students and an acceptance rate of 98%, Penn State Altoona is a welcoming environment for those looking for a supportive community. This school is especially suited for students interested in practical fields such as Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, and Education. The openness of the admissions process means that students who might not have perfect grades still have a chance to pursue their educational goals.
In terms of life after graduation, the financial outlook is promising. Graduates earn an average of $63,435 within ten years of completing their degree. This suggests that students can expect to find opportunities that lead to solid earnings, even if the graduation rate sits at 17%. The affordability aspect cannot be overlooked either, with a net price of $22,213 after aid, making it a feasible option for many students.
When we look at the debt situation, the median debt stands at $25,000, which is manageable for many who graduate. The 29% Pell Grant rate indicates that financial support is available for those who qualify. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are proactive about seeking help and resources, whether academic or financial. It's a place where determination and practical skills can lead to a rewarding career path.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,187. The graduation rate is roughly 17%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- SAT Average
- 1187
- SAT Range
- 1070–1290
- ACT Range
- 22–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 77%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,491
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 7,523
- Admitted
- 7,204
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is $26,958, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,213. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,017 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $15,972
- Out-of-State
- $26,958
- Avg Net Price
- $22,213
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 54%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,017
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,546
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,464
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,263
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona earn a median of $63,435, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $55,620
- 8 Years
- $60,370
- 10 Years
- $63,435
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (127)
- 9%
- 100% (127)
- 9%
- 100% (127)
- 9%
- 100% (127)
- 9%
How Pennsylvania Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,213/year ($88,852 total). Graduates earn $63,435 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,480,080 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,391,228 (16.7× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 17% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $88,852
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,480,080
- Net Return
- $1,391,228
- ROI Multiple
- 16.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,213
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 17%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 25% $82,483 early-career
- Business & Marketing 16% $62,706 early-career
- Education 12% $46,741 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 9% $92,969 early-career
- Engineering 6% $73,860 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $41,894 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $38,815 early-career
- Psychology 2% $36,254 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,187. The graduation rate is roughly 17%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is $26,958, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,213. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,017 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona earn a median of $63,435, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. Its economic connectedness score is 1.39, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona.
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonAbington, PA · Close peer21% grad $63,435 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BerksReading, PA · Close peer28% grad $63,435 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BrandywineMedia, PA · Close peer24% grad $63,435 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgMiddletown, PA · Close peer28% grad $63,435 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegeErie, PA · Close peer45% grad $63,435 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Benedictine UniversityLisle, IL · Close peer51% grad $63,446 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. Its economic connectedness score is 1.39, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note