Academic Comparison between Gwynedd Mercy and Penn State Altoona

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

Gwynedd Mercy is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Altoona is a public school and both are four-year schools.
Gwynedd Mercy has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,838) than Penn State Altoona ($26,958).
It is harder to admit to Gwynedd Mercy than Penn State Altoona.
Penn State Altoona has a higher submitted SAT score (1,090) than Gwynedd Mercy (1,090).
Penn State Altoona has more students with 2,371 students while Gwynedd Mercy has 2,017 students.
Gwynedd Mercy 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 Gwynedd Mercy has 82 full-time faculties.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Gwynedd Mercy University	vs.	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Gwynedd 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
$40,838	2025 Tuition & Fees	In-State$15,972 Out-Of-State$26,958
68%	% Receiving Financial Aid	73%
$24,303	Average Amount of Financial Aid	$10,865

89.63 %	Acceptance Rates	98.06 %
17.04 %	Yield (Enrollment Rates)	10.26 %
1,090	SAT Score	1,180
-	ACT Score	26
57 %	Graduation Rate	17 %
-	Transfer-out Rate	-
78 %	Retention Rate	80 %
2,017	Student Population	2,371
82	Number of Faculties	177
12 to 1	Students to Faculty Ratio	13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), 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	On Campus Student Services	Academic/career counseling service, Employment services