Tuition and Financial Aid
A Penn State Altoona education is a smart investment in your future.
A smart investment yields a good return, which is what our students get when they choose Penn State Altoona. The investment students and their families make in tuition helps them receive the education they need to find a career they will love.
Employers hire our graduates because they trust a Penn State education. In fact, the Wall Street Journal named Penn State as the number one overall institution in the nation for producing the best prepared and well-rounded graduates, who are most able to succeed once hired. In addition, completion of a four-year degree increases an individual’s life-long earnings.
How much does it cost to attend Penn State Altoona?
The estimated direct costs on this page are for a full-time, first- or second-year student studying during the 2018-2019 academic year. Tuition, fees, and room and board are billed by semester; bills are due in August for the fall semester and December for the spring semester.
| Cost Type | Pennsylvania Resident | Non-Pennsylvania Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $14,214 | $23,466 |
| Information Technology Fee | $504 | $504 |
| Student Fee | $480 | $480 |
| Room and Board (on campus) | ||
| Room (Oak and Maple Halls) | $6,370 | $6,370 |
| Meal Plan (level 3) | $5,200 | $5,200 |
| Average Total Cost | ||
| Living on Campus | $26,768 | $36,020 |
| Commuting | $15,198 | |
| Avg. Book Cost | $1,840 | $1,840 |
| Tuition Differential Savings versus University Park | $3,202 | $10,354 |
| Part-Time Per Credit | ||
| Lower Division | $592 | $978 |
| Upper Division - Business, EMS, Science, IST, Engineering | $720 | $1,123 |
| Upper Division - All Other Programs | $645 | $1,040 |
All costs shown are on an annual basis.
Tuition Comparison
| Campus Location | Tuition | PA Resident | Tuition | Non-PA Resident |
|---|---|---|
| University Park | $17,416 | $33,820 |
| Altoona | $14,214 | $23,466 |
| Tuition Differential Savings | $3,202 | $10,354 |
The tuition differential continues at the junior and senior level for students who choose to complete their Penn State degree at Penn State Altoona.
On-campus Housing Costs Per Semester
| Hall | Cost |
|---|---|
| Oak/Maple Halls (Traditional) | $3,185 |
| Spruce Hall (Suite) | $3,765 |
| Cedar Hall (Suite) | $4,040 |
Meal Plan Costs Per Semester
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | $2,025 |
| Level 2 | $2,345 |
| Level 3 | $2,600 |
We’re happy to help our students and their families explore their financial options when deciding how to fund college costs, whether it be personal savings, tuition savings plans, student employment, Penn State’s payment plan, student financial aid, or a combination of these options. Contact the Office of Student Aid at 814-949-5055 or email StuAidAltoona@psu.edu to speak with a financial aid counselor.