Penn State Altoona

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you're done with college.

Penn State Altoona meets 59.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Penn State Altoona is around $11,069 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $46,124 in student loans per borrower.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Penn State Altoona

**Penn State Altoona is a public, state institution, **

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to confirm your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Is Penn State Altoona's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Penn State Altoona is the same for all students.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or Penn State Altoona-specific aid and scholarships.

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Penn State Altoona Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Penn State Altoona.

Room and Board Costs at Penn State Altoona

Meal-plan costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Penn State Altoona

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Penn State Altoona

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city can be expensive, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Penn State Altoona campus is located in a suburb in Pennsylvania.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Penn State Altoona

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Penn State Altoona.

Total Cost of Penn State Altoona

What will the cost of attending Penn State Altoona be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Penn State Altoona Financial Aid

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The majority of Penn State Altoona undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 1,608 of the 2,643 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Penn State Altoona meets 59.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,069 a year. Around 70.13% of Penn State Altoona undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Penn State Altoona graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $46,124 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$23,871
Penn State Altoona-Specific Loans	$6,467
Private Loans	$50,485

Most Common Loans for Penn State Altoona Students
Federal Loans	67.88%
Institutional Loans	1.75%
Private loans	31.75%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Penn State Altoona financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Penn State Altoona

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Penn State Altoona awarded 824 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $12.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.41 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Penn State Altoona

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Penn State Altoona students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Penn State Altoona was $11,069 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Penn State Altoona seem more manageable.

What will attending Penn State Altoona really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Penn State Altoona's net cost calculator on their website.

Penn State Altoona Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Penn State Altoona Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Penn State Altoona's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Penn State Altoona's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Penn State Altoona

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