Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 17.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 17.8%
- Retention Rate
- 77.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $63,435
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 67.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
Outcomes Overview
Penn State Altoona graduates earn a median of $63,435 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 39% with typical debt of $25,000. Monthly loan payments of $265 consume about 5% of gross income, which is manageable compared to the national average of 10-15%. The employment rate hits 95.7%, reflecting strong job placement despite the campus's modest profile. Many graduates leverage Penn State's alumni network to enter fields like business, healthcare, and manufacturing that dominate central Pennsylvania's economy. Others transfer credits earned here to complete degrees at University Park. Despite the low graduation rates, those who finish see a solid return on investment.