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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Admission at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is close to open (98.1%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $63,435 median earnings below before the application.
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona sits in Altoona proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $120,729 four years out. 29.4% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1050 and 1260 — near the PA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona received 7,134 applications and admitted 6,942 (97.3%), with 859 enrolling.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1050–1260 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 530 | 580 | 630 |
| SAT Math | 520 | 580 | 630 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 24 | 27 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona compares
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | Pennsylvania median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 98.1% | 82% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $15,972 | $33,730 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $63,435 | $62,101 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona: $63,435 median at year ten, versus $62,101 across Pennsylvania institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $15,972 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $26,958. For non-residents, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's $26,958 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 2,367 undergrads, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
Fewer than half of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona students — 16.5% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Top majors by earnings at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $120,729 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $98,637 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $91,032 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $88,192 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | $81,835 |
| Civil Engineering | $81,403 |
| Mathematics | $77,336 |
| Political Science and Government | $68,918 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $67,399 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $65,292 |
| Biology, General | $64,910 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $60,193 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $58,195 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $58,105 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,877 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,505 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $53,362 |
| History | $52,871 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $50,299 |
| Psychology, General | $49,543 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $45,943 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $45,170 |
Median earnings for these 22 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $63,435 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1050–1260 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 98.1% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's acceptance rate?
97.3% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 6,942 admitted from 7,134 applicants.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona cost?
In-state tuition is $15,972; out-of-state students pay $26,958. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $63,435 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver — 95.7% admitted
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks — 98.7% admitted
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley — 97.4% admitted
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg — 97.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.