Academic Comparison between Swat and Penn State Altoona

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

  • Swat is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Altoona is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Swat has more expensive tuition & fees ($65,494) than Penn State Altoona ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Swat than Penn State Altoona.
  • Swat has a higher submitted SAT score (1,540) than Penn State Altoona (1,180).
  • Swat has higher submitted ACT score (34) than Penn State Altoona (26).
  • Penn State Altoona has more students with 2,371 students while Swat has 1,623 students.
  • Swat has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while Penn State Altoona's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • Swat has more full-time faculties with 256 faculties while Penn State Altoona has 177 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Swarthmore Collegevs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Swarthmore, PennsylvaniaLocationAltoona, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie Classification
$65,4942025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
58%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$59,928Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,865
7.46 %Acceptance Rates98.06 %
43.79 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.26 %
1,540SAT Score1,180
34ACT Score26
92 %Graduation Rate17 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate80 %
1,623Student Population2,371
256Number of Faculties177
7 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial 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