Penn State Altoona
Penn State Altoona is a four-year, residential public university campus of The Pennsylvania State University in Altoona, Pennsylvania, offering 21 bachelor's and 7 associate degree programs to approximately 3,000+ students, with 75% commuting and nearly 900 living on campus.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1855
- HeadquartersAltoona, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Penn State Altoona does
Penn State Altoona is a four-year, residential public university campus of The Pennsylvania State University system, located on Ivyside Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania, less than 45 miles from the Penn State research campus at University Park. The institution serves approximately 3,000+ students (with nearly 900 living on campus) across 21 bachelor's degree programs, 7 associate degree programs, and numerous minors, while also providing the first two years of more than 275 Penn State majors that students can complete at other Penn State campuses via the 2+2 Plan. Approximately 75% of the student body commutes, making it a primarily regional commuter-serving institution with a smaller residential population.
Core academic and technology infrastructure includes integration with the Penn State system's shared platforms: Canvas LMS for course delivery, LionPATH student information system for enrollment and billing, Starfish for academic advising, Focus 2 for career assessment, Nittany Lion Careers for jobs and internships, and the Discover platform for student engagement. Proprietary or differentiated student-success features include the Student Success Center (consolidating tutoring, writing support, disability services, and peer mentoring in Eiche Library), the Lion Guidez peer mentoring program, the Lion for Life two-phase mentoring model, and an AI-assisted Help Tool that routes students to appropriate resources. The campus operates specialized facilities including the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Printing (CAMP), the Ivyside Eats food pantry, the Sheetz Family Health Center, Media Commons equipment lending, and the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts.
The business model combines tuition revenue (PA resident $15,388/year, non-PA $26,638/year), housing and meal plan revenue ($4,095–$5,000/semester housing, $2,532–$2,976/semester meal plans), externally funded faculty research ($1+ million annually with $200,000+ in undergraduate grants), and philanthropic giving through Development and Alumni Relations. Go-to-market is multi-channel and hybrid: direct-to-consumer via Penn State Application and Common Application on rolling admissions; sales-led via on-campus visits, virtual tours, and admissions counselor appointments; community-led via school counselor partnerships, community college transfer articulation, dual enrollment, and alumni referrals (800,000+ Penn State alumni worldwide). Customer segments span first-year students, transfer students, adult learners, veterans, dual enrollment high schoolers, and international students. As a public state-related institution governed by The Pennsylvania State University system, the campus does not operate under venture or private equity ownership structures.
Penn State Altoona firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Penn State Altoona
- Legal name
- Penn State Altoona (The Pennsylvania State University)
- Website
- https://altoona.psu.edu
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1855
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Penn State Altoona is a four-year, residential public university campus of The Pennsylvania State University in Altoona, Pennsylvania, offering 21 bachelor's and 7 associate degree programs to approximately 3,000+ students, with 75% commuting and nearly 900 living on campus.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Penn State Altoona industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- On-Campus University Housing Management (BPAJAJAA), Alumni Events, Reunions & Regional Chapters (EDALAOAG)
Keywords
Where Penn State Altoona is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Altoona
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Penn State Altoona business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from undergraduate tuition charged per credit (up to 12) or flat rate (12-19 credits). Additional credit charges above 19. Differential pricing for PA residents ($15,388/year) vs non-residents ($26,638/year). Student fees of $618 annually.
- Housing and Food Services: Room and board charges for on-campus residence halls (Oak, Maple, Spruce, Cedar Halls) and meal plans. Housing ranges from $4,095-$5,000/semester. Meal plans from $2,532-$2,976/semester.
- Philanthropic Giving: Development and Alumni Relations office manages donations supporting scholarships, academic programming, and research. Alumni and friend contributions enable financially challenged students to receive scholarships.
- Research Funding: Externally funded research grants from federal and private sources. Faculty conduct over $1 million in externally funded research annually with over $200,000 in grants awarded directly to students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full-time PA Resident: $15,388 tuition + $618 student fee = $16,006/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Full-time Non-PA Resident: $26,638 tuition + $618 student fee = $27,256/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Total Cost with Housing/Meal: PA Resident $30,854; Non-PA Resident $42,104 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Part-time Per Credit: PA Residents $641-$775; Non-PA Residents $1,110-$1,271 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Housing Options: $4,095-$5,000 per semester |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Meal Plans: $2,532-$2,976 per semester |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels12 records
Penn State Altoona product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Penn State Altoona is a four-year residential campus of The Pennsylvania State University that delivers undergraduate education through 21 bachelor's degree programs, 7 associate degree programs, and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors. The campus combines the resources of a major research university with a small-college experience, offering residential housing for nearly 900 students, NCAA Division III athletics, undergraduate research opportunities with over $1 million in annual faculty research funding, and integrated student success services including tutoring, writing support, and disability resources.
Product overview
Penn State Altoona is a four-year, residential campus of Penn State University offering undergraduate and graduate educational programs. The institution's core academic offerings consist of 21 bachelor's degree programs, 7 associate degree programs, and numerous minor programs, along with the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors transferable to other Penn State campuses. Supporting these academic programs are integrated student success services including the Student Success Center (providing tutoring, writing support, disability resources), the Honors Program for high-achieving students, undergraduate research opportunities, study abroad programs, academic internships, and the Sheetz Fellows entrepreneurship program. The campus also operates specialized facilities including the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Printing (CAMP), Media Commons equipment lending, the Ivyside Eats food pantry, and the Health and Wellness Center. Educational technology is delivered through integration with Penn State systems including Canvas LMS, LionPATH student information system, and Starfish academic advising platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bachelor's Degree Programs
- Associate Degree Programs
- First-Two-Years of Penn State Majors
- Honors Program
- Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
- Study Away/Study Abroad Programs
- Summer Academies
- Health and Wellness Center
- Altoona LaunchBox
- On-Campus Housing and Meal Plans
- NCAA Division III Athletics
- STAR Lecture Series and Kids' College
Quantifiable outcome
- Tuition savings of $5,080/year for PA residents and $16,222/year for non-residents compared to University Park
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Penn State Altoona
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Penn State Altoona technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature3 records
Penn State Altoona partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- Coach James FranklinminorHead football coach at Penn State (University Park campus). Mentioned in context of college football coach buyouts exceeding $200 million. Penn State Altoona's athletics program operates as part of Penn State's NCAA Division III conference.
- Penn State Schreyer Honors CollegecorePenn State Altoona's Honors Program maintains pathway connections to Schreyer Honors College for high-achieving students seeking to continue honors coursework at University Park. Schreyer is Penn State's university-wide honors program.
- SheetzcoreSheetz Fellows Program hosted at Penn State Altoona provides entrepreneurial education and mentorship. Sheetz Corporation, a major convenience store chain headquartered in Pennsylvania, sponsors this program for Penn State students.
- Sheetz FamilycoreAltoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite family provides startup resources and entrepreneurial support for the campus community. Part of Penn State's network of business incubators across commonwealth campuses.
- Altoona LaunchBoxcoreStudent business incubator providing resources for entrepreneurial ventures. Affiliated with Penn State's larger LaunchBox network supporting startup development across Pennsylvania.
- Penn State System (20 Campuses)flagshipPenn State Altoona operates as one of 20 Penn State commonwealth campuses. Students can access 275+ majors starting at Altoona and completing at other Penn State locations. The 2+2 Plan facilitates seamless transfers. Shared resources include LionPATH, Canvas LMS, and university-wide scholarship programs.
- AmtranminorLocal bus service provider offering free transportation to all Penn State Altoona students between Ivyside and Downtown Campuses and to shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations in nearby communities.
- Barnes & Noble CollegeminorInitial funding provider for School Supplies for Student Success program at Penn State Altoona's Chaiken Center for Student Success. Program provides free school supplies including notebooks, writing utensils, and headphones to students in need.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Penn State Altoona competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania: IUP is a Pennsylvania state-related public university offering a comparable mix of undergraduate and graduate programs with a similar tuition structure and regional recruitment focus.
- University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown: UPJ is a four-year regional campus of the University of Pittsburgh system located in western Pennsylvania, serving a similar commuter and transfer-student population in a comparable small-city setting.
- Bloomsburg University: A PASSHE state system university in Pennsylvania offering four-year degrees with a similar price point and Pennsylvania-resident/non-resident tuition differential structure.
- Lock Haven University: A PASSHE state system university in central Pennsylvania operating a similar small-city residential campus model with comparable bachelor's and associate degree offerings.
Direct peers
- Penn State Behrend: Penn State Erie, The Behrend College is another four-year residential commonwealth campus of Penn State, offering similar bachelor's and associate degrees with the same multi-campus articulation (2+2) framework. It is the closest operational and structural analog to Penn State Altoona.
- Penn State Berks: Penn State Berks is a four-year commonwealth campus serving a similar commuter-heavy population with comparable bachelor's and associate offerings and the same 2+2 transfer pathway to other Penn State campuses.
- Penn State Harrisburg: Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year commonwealth campus with both undergraduate and graduate programs in the Penn State system, operating under the same multi-campus enrollment model and shared SIS/LMS infrastructure.
- Penn State York: Penn State York is a regional commonwealth campus in southern Pennsylvania offering the first two years of Penn State majors plus select associate degrees, with a comparable commuter-heavy student profile.
- Penn State Lehigh Valley: Penn State Lehigh Valley is a regional commonwealth campus in eastern Pennsylvania offering the same 2+2 transfer model and access to Penn State majors, serving a similar price-sensitive student demographic.
Broad incumbents
- Penn State University Park: The flagship research campus of the Penn State system; provides the brand, curriculum framework, transfer pathways, and shared technology stack that Penn State Altoona leverages, but operates at a much larger scale and price point.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Penn State Altoona social profiles
Digital presencePenn State Altoona financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Penn State Altoona leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Penn State Altoona funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Penn State Altoona M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Penn State Altoona
What does Penn State Altoona do?
Penn State Altoona is a four-year residential campus of The Pennsylvania State University that delivers undergraduate education through 21 bachelor's degree programs, 7 associate degree programs, and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors. The campus combines the resources of a major research university with a small-college experience, offering residential housing for nearly 900 students, NCAA Division III athletics, undergraduate research opportunities with over $1 million in annual faculty research funding, and integrated student success services including tutoring, writing support, and disability resources.
Is Penn State Altoona a public or private company?
Penn State Altoona is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Penn State Altoona founded?
Penn State Altoona was founded in 1855. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Penn State Altoona based?
Penn State Altoona is headquartered in Altoona, United States, in the North America region.
How does Penn State Altoona make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are housing and Food Services, philanthropic Giving and research Funding.
Who are Penn State Altoona's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Indiana University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Bloomsburg University and Lock Haven University. Direct peers are Penn State Behrend, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Penn State York and Penn State Lehigh Valley. Penn State University Park is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Penn State Altoona have an API?
No public API is recorded for Penn State Altoona.
What industry is Penn State Altoona in?
Penn State Altoona's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAI, Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems, with a secondary code of BPAJAJAA, On-Campus University Housing Management. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.