Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a public university in Altoona, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is a public university in Reading, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona admits about 98% of applicants and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks about 99%, making Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $22,213 a year at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona after aid, and about $24,356 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. About 28% of students graduate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks, compared with 17% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. Alumni of both earn a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Altoona, PA
Reading, PA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,367
1,872
Acceptance rate
98%
99%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.19–3.69
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
1070–1290
1090–1275
ACT (middle 50%)
22–28
18–27
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,213
$24,356
Full cost / yr
$32,559
$32,242
In-state tuition
$15,972
$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
$26,958
$26,958
Application fee
$65
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,017
$16,429
$30k - $48k
$16,546
$15,862
$48k - $75k
$19,464
$23,583
$75k - $110k
$23,562
$25,465
Over $110k
$28,263
$29,541
Outcomes
Graduation rate
17%
28%
Freshman retention
80%
77%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$55,620
$55,620
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,435
$63,435
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
29%
29%
First-generation students
29%
29%
International students
5%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks harder to get into?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is harder to get into. It admits about 98% of applicants, compared with 99% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is cheaper on average. Students pay about $22,213 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,356 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks costs about $32,242 a year and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona about $32,559. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,017 there, against about $16,429 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is the larger of the two, with about 2,367 undergraduates against 1,872 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks.
- Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks have a better graduation rate?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks has the higher graduation rate, at about 28% against 17% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona.
- Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks earn more?
- Earnings are similar. Alumni of both earn a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks require SAT or ACT scores?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1070–1290 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona and 1090–1275 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona vs Swarthmore CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona vs Haverford CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona vs Franklin and Marshall CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs Swarthmore CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs Haverford CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs Franklin and Marshall College
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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