Academic Comparison between F&M and Penn State Altoona

Franklin and Marshall College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. F&M is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lancaster, 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.

F&M is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Altoona is a public school and both are four-year schools.
F&M has more expensive tuition & fees ($70,794) than Penn State Altoona ($26,958).
It is harder to admit to F&M than Penn State Altoona.
F&M has a higher submitted SAT score (1,375) than Penn State Altoona (1,180).
F&M has higher submitted ACT score (32) than Penn State Altoona (26).
Penn State Altoona has more students with 2,371 students while F&M has 1,808 students.
F&M has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Penn State Altoona's ratio is 13 to 1.
F&M has more full-time faculties with 193 faculties while Penn State Altoona has 177 full-time faculties.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Franklin and Marshall College	vs.	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Lancaster, Pennsylvania	Location	Altoona, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)	School Type	four-year, Public
Bachelor's degree	Highest Degree Offered	Bachelor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences	Carnegie Classification
$70,794	2025 Tuition & Fees	In-State$15,972 Out-Of-State$26,958
71%	% Receiving Financial Aid	73%
$49,007	Average Amount of Financial Aid	$10,865

28.19 %	Acceptance Rates	98.06 %
17.13 %	Yield (Enrollment Rates)	10.26 %
1,375	SAT Score	1,180
32	ACT Score	26
84 %	Graduation Rate	17 %
11 %	Transfer-out Rate	-
90 %	Retention Rate	80 %
1,808	Student Population	2,371
193	Number of Faculties	177
9 to 1	Students to Faculty Ratio	13 to 1
Study Abroad	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