Colleges in Altoona, Pennsylvania
6 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 6 colleges and universities in Altoona, Pennsylvania (4 Private for-profit, 2 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 6 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $20,822 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 68.5%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 98% of applicants.
The median net price in Altoona runs about $754 higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $20,069.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Altoona, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$20,822
After aid
Median grad rate
68.5%
6-year
Median admission rate
98%
Median enrollment
83
Undergrad
All colleges in Altoona
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Altoona, PA | PA | Public, 4-year | $22,213 | 16.5% | 98% | 2,367 | Complete | |
| Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center Altoona, PA | PA | Public, <2-year | $12,419 | 68.5% | Not available | 220 | Partial | |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Altoona Altoona, PA | PA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $15,796 | 90.9% | Not available | 83 | Partial | |
| Altoona Beauty School Inc Altoona, PA | PA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $25,356 | 91.7% | Not available | 70 | Partial | |
| YTI Career Institute-Altoona Altoona, PA | PA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $20,822 | 28.6% | Not available | 32 | Partial | |
| South Hills School of Business and Technology-Altoona Altoona, PA | PA | Private for-profit, 2-year | Not available | Not available | 97% | Not available | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (4)
Private for-profit colleges in Altoona operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- The Salon Professional Academy-AltoonaNet price: $15,796Grad: 90.9%
- Altoona Beauty School IncNet price: $25,356Grad: 91.7%
- YTI Career Institute-AltoonaNet price: $20,822Grad: 28.6%
- South Hills School of Business and Technology-AltoonaNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (2)
Public colleges in Altoona are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AltoonaNet price: $22,213Grad: 16.5%
- Greater Altoona Career & Technology CenterNet price: $12,419Grad: 68.5%
Top programs in Altoona
Most-completed programs across Altoona colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions23.4% of degrees
- Business14.2% of degrees
- Computer science7.8% of degrees
- Engineering tech7.2% of degrees
- Education5.8% of degrees
- Psychology5.8% of degrees
- Personal services5.5% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement5.3% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Altoona
Q.How many colleges are in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
There are 6 colleges and universities in Altoona, Pennsylvania that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 4 Private for-profit, 2 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Altoona?
By undergraduate enrollment, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is the largest institution in Altoona with roughly 2,367 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Altoona?
Based on average net price after aid, Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center is the most affordable institution in Altoona at $12,419 per year.
Q.Which Altoona college has the highest graduation rate?
Altoona Beauty School Inc reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Altoona institutions at 91.7%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Altoona?
The median net price across all 6 colleges in Altoona is $20,822 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Altoona?
Across Altoona colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Computer science.
Q.Are there community colleges in Altoona?
Yes — Altoona includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Altoona that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.