Academic Comparison between Lafayette and Penn State Altoona

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

Comparison at a Glance

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

  • Lafayette is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Altoona is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Lafayette has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,648) than Penn State Altoona ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Lafayette than Penn State Altoona.
  • Lafayette has a higher submitted SAT score (1,430) than Penn State Altoona (1,180).
  • Lafayette has higher submitted ACT score (31) than Penn State Altoona (26).
  • Lafayette has more students with 2,775 students while Penn State Altoona has 2,371 students.
  • Lafayette has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Penn State Altoona's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • Lafayette has more full-time faculties with 261 faculties while Penn State Altoona has 177 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Lafayette Collegevs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Easton, PennsylvaniaLocationAltoona, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie Classification
$64,6482025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
61%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$45,956Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,865
31.45 %Acceptance Rates98.06 %
21.77 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.26 %
1,430SAT Score1,180
31ACT Score26
88 %Graduation Rate17 %
10 %Transfer-out Rate-
90 %Retention Rate80 %
2,775Student Population2,371
261Number of Faculties177
10 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services