Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public university in Center Valley, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a public university in Altoona, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley admits about 97% of applicants and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona about 98%, making Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,220 a year at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley after aid, and about $22,213 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. About 18% of students graduate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley, 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
Center Valley, PA
Altoona, PA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
859
2,367
Acceptance rate
97%
98%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.23–3.73
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
1130–1320
1070–1290
ACT (middle 50%)
20–28
22–28
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,220
$22,213
Full cost / yr
$28,109
$32,559
In-state tuition
$15,208
$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
$25,392
$26,958
Application fee
$65
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,422
$16,017
$30k - $48k
$13,319
$16,546
$48k - $75k
$16,438
$19,464
$75k - $110k
$23,611
$23,562
Over $110k
$24,539
$28,263
Outcomes
Graduation rate
18%
17%
Freshman retention
83%
80%
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
35%
29%
First-generation students
29%
29%
International students
1%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
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 Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona harder to get into?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is harder to get into. It admits about 97% of applicants, compared with 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. 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 Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,220 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $22,213 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. 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 Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley costs about $28,109 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 Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,422 there, against about $16,017 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. 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 Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is the larger of the two, with about 2,367 undergraduates against 859 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley.
- Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona have a better graduation rate?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley has the higher graduation rate, at about 18% against 17% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona.
- Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona 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 Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona require SAT or ACT scores?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1130–1320 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley and 1070–1290 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Curtis Institute of MusicPennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Central Penn CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Moore College of Art and DesignPennsylvania 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 College
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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