Academic Comparison between DeSales and Penn State Altoona

DeSales University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. DeSales is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Center Valley, PA and Penn State Altoona is a four-year, public school located in Altoona, PA.

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

DeSales is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Altoona is a public school and both are four-year schools.
DeSales has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,800) than Penn State Altoona ($26,958).
It is harder to admit to DeSales than Penn State Altoona.
Both DeSales and Penn State Altoona have the same submitted SAT scores (1,180).
DeSales has higher submitted ACT score (28) than Penn State Altoona (26).
DeSales has more students with 2,972 students while Penn State Altoona has 2,371 students.
DeSales has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Penn State Altoona's ratio is 13 to 1.
Penn State Altoona has more full-time faculties with 177 faculties while DeSales has 133 full-time faculties.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

DeSales University	vs.	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Center Valley, Pennsylvania	Location	Altoona, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)	School Type	four-year, Public
Doctor's degree	Highest Degree Offered	Bachelor's degree
Doctoral / Research University	Carnegie Classification
$46,800	2025 Tuition & Fees	In-State$15,972 Out-Of-State$26,958
89%	% Receiving Financial Aid	73%
$26,573	Average Amount of Financial Aid	$10,865

77.09 %	Acceptance Rates	98.06 %
16.67 %	Yield (Enrollment Rates)	10.26 %
1,180	SAT Score	1,180
28	ACT Score	26
72 %	Graduation Rate	17 %
18 %	Transfer-out Rate	-
83 %	Retention Rate	80 %
2,972	Student Population	2,371
133	Number of Faculties	177
12 to 1	Students to Faculty Ratio	13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification	Special Learning Opportunities	Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services	On Campus Student Services	Academic/career counseling service, Employment services