Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 18%
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 39% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 77th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (PA wage index 0.97). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $84,050 | $120,729 | +31% | #39 of 459 | #39 | $25,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $73,941 | $98,637 | +16% | #17 of 99 | #21 | $26,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $77,955 | $91,032 | +2% | #325 of 966 | #330 | $23,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,425 | $88,192 | +16% | #134 of 796 | #130 | $25,218 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | $65,043 | $81,835 | -3% | #16 of 23 | #12 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $67,966 | $81,403 | -6% | #169 of 233 | #156 | $26,000 |
| Mathematics | $59,629 | $77,336 | +11% | #101 of 309 | #86 | $23,875 |
| Political Science and Government | $41,201 | $68,918 | +9% | #134 of 565 | #107 | $25,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,133 | $67,399 | +24% | #44 of 610 | #39 | $26,940 |
| Business/Commerce | $45,110 | $65,292 | -5% | #125 of 271 | #147 | $25,593 |
| Biology | $33,417 | $64,910 | +13% | #185 of 841 | #155 | $25,717 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $37,330 | $60,193 | +9% | #63 of 265 | #53 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,834 | $58,195 | +10% | #126 of 476 | #103 | $26,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $43,324 | $58,105 | +13% | #96 of 299 | #93 | $25,625 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $37,240 | $56,877 | +3% | #252 of 660 | #233 | $25,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,181 | $55,505 | -2% | #285 of 660 | #259 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,795 | $53,362 | +13% | #136 of 680 | #132 | $26,000 |
| History | $28,803 | $52,871 | +4% | #185 of 459 | #141 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature | $29,848 | $50,299 | +4% | #240 of 576 | #198 | $25,000 |
| Psychology | $32,408 | $49,543 | -2% | #541 of 1027 | #507 | $26,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $34,030 | $45,943 | -5% | #103 of 172 | #112 | $27,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | $25,702 | $45,170 | +8% | #22 of 68 | #19 | $24,225 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $148,387
- Avg rent near campus: $965/mo — vs ~$945/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 16641 (7.8% cap, Gallitzin)
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🏆 Where Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $15,388 | $26,112 |
| Room | $8,508 | |
| Board | $5,312 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $36,392 | $47,116 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,269 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,288 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,857 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,446 |
| $110,001+ | $28,543 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
How much does it cost to attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona a good school?
- Outcomes (C): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (D): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Is there rental demand near Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology