Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania · Public, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$22,213
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
16.5%
Admission rate
98%
Undergrad size
2,367
In-state tuition
$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
$26,958
Cost of attendance
$32,559
Median earnings (10y)
$63,435
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,187
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 79.5%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
20 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by stem (29%), health (20%), social sciences (18%).
- STEM29%
- Health20%
- Business17%
- Humanities & arts8%
- Social sciences18%
- Trades & services8%
- Health professions19.9%~470 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Business16.6%~393 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Computer science9.1%~216 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Engineering tech8.5%~200 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Education6.8%~162 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Psychology6.8%~162 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~147 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Engineering4.2%~100 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~100 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~100 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communication3.3%~77 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~54 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~39 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English1.3%~31 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts1.3%~31 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics1.3%~31 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~23 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History0.7%~15 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~8 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences0.3%~8 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
28 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 145 | $67,759 | $27,000 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 72 | — | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 56 | $39,223 | $26,263 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor's | 49 | $42,524 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 29 | $34,135 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 28 | $29,652 | $27,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Undergraduate certificate | 26 | — | $27,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 25 | $29,005 | $28,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor's | 23 | $65,214 | $26,917 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 22 | $51,228 | $26,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 20 | $30,320 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 18 | $28,620 | $26,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 16 | $34,969 | $26,000 |
| Engineering, General. | Undergraduate certificate | 15 | — | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor's | 15 | $61,387 | $26,838 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 14 | $32,077 | $25,875 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 14 | $25,116 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 11 | $73,647 | $26,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 8 | $37,482 | $26,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 8 | $27,051 | $26,322 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 7 | $37,726 | $26,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate's | 7 | $40,242 | $19,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 5 | $33,395 | $27,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 4 | $31,892 | $20,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General. | Bachelor's | 4 | $25,485 | $24,638 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 2 | $52,010 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Associate's | 1 | $49,089 | $18,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Undergraduate certificate | 1 | — | $27,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized institution located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 2,367 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Business, Computer science.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $22,213 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $15,972 for in-state students and $26,958 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $32,559 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 16.5%, a below-average completion outcome. 79.5% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $63,435 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona confers degrees and certificates across 20 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Business, Computer science. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by stem (29% of credentials), health (20% of credentials), social sciences (18% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona accepts 98% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,187.
Location & campus
Set in Altoona, Pennsylvania (city), Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona draws students from across Pennsylvania and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Q.How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona cost?
The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is $22,213 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $32,559.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona has a 6-year graduation rate of 16.5% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona admits 98% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduate earns $63,435 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Published tuition is $15,972 in-state and $26,958 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona located?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, Pennsylvania (ZIP 16601).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona at their official website.