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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona acceptance rate & admissions

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona admits 98% of applicants, most. For Fall 2023, 6,942 of 7,134 applicants were admitted and 859 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional). The middle half of Fall 2024 enrolled first-year students scored 1070–1290 on the SAT or 22–28 on the ACT.

Check your chances at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
98%

More selective than 5% of Pennsylvania colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

27% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 3% sent ACT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
12%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied7,134
Admitted6,942
Enrolled859

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

What Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona weighs when deciding

How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.

Very important
  • High school GPA
Important
  • Rigor of high school courses
Considered
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Talent or ability
  • Where you live
  • State residency
Not considered
  • Class rank
  • Essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Character and personal qualities
  • First-generation college student
  • Alumni relation (legacy)
  • Religious affiliation
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Your demonstrated interest

Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

High school GPA of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona first-year students

Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.24. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.

4.04%
3.75–3.9917%
3.50–3.7415%
3.25–3.4916%
3.00–3.2417%
2.50–2.9922%
2.00–2.499%

Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Early decision, early action and the waitlist

Early decision (binding)
Not offered
Early action (not binding)
Offered

You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.

Waitlist
No waitlist

Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona SAT and ACT scores

Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT reading & writing530650
SAT math540640
ACT composite2228
SAT total (approx.)10701290

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 202498%530–650540–64022–28College Scorecard
Fall 202397%530–630520–63022–27IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona has the 106th-lowest acceptance rate of 111 Pennsylvania colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
102Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois97%34%$17,428
103Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley97%18%$18,220
104Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York97%16%$19,047
105Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg98%26%$23,330
106Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona98%17%$22,213
107Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine98%26%$22,585
108Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto98%34%$19,454
109Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton99%39%$17,910
110Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks99%32%$24,356

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Pennsylvania colleges →

Who enrolls at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona

First-year students who return for year two80%
First-year students from Pennsylvania59%
Pell Grant recipients29%
First-generation students29%
Women / men46% / 54%
International students5%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona admissions questions

What is the Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona acceptance rate?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona accepts 98% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 6,942 of 7,134 applicants were admitted.

Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona require the SAT or ACT?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 27% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 3% submitted ACT scores.

What SAT score do you need for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?

The middle 50% of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona enrolled first-year students scored 1070–1290 on the SAT and 22–28 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.

How many admitted students enroll at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona?

12% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (859 of 6,942).

What does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona look for in applicants?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA. Important: rigor of high school courses. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, talent or ability, where you live, state residency. (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona have early decision?

No. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona getting harder to get into?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona accepted 98% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 97% for Fall 2023.

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona the right fit for your family?

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona overview