Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
School info
3.6
Overall Quality
Reputation
3.8
Food
2.9
Clubs
3.3
Facilities
3.7
Internet
3.6
Location
3.3
Opportunities
3.5
Safety
4.1
Social
3.3
Happiness
3.7
Basic Information
Location
- Altoona, PA
Institution Overview
- Public/Private: Public university
- Established: 1939
- Founder: Ted Holtzinger, Ralph D. Hetzel, Colonel John S. Fair, E. G. Gegenheimer, W. S. Gardner, J.B. Brooks, Levi Gilbert, G. G. Weber
Academic information
Degree Courses
- Penn State Altoona offers 21 four-year degree courses. Additionally
- it offers numerous associate degrees
- minor programs
- and the first two years of over 275+ majors that can be started there and completed at another Penn State location. However
- if you are looking specifically for the number of undergraduate majors
- it is more than 275. For a precise count of all degree courses
- including associate degrees and minors
- the exact number is not provided in the sources. Therefore
- the most accurate answer based on the given information is: **21 four-year degree courses**
Key Area
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Community Engagement
- Undergraduate Research
- Nanotechnology
Student and Staff Numbers
- Students: 2,499 full-time undergraduate students and 78 part-time undergraduate students
- Undergraduates: 2,421 undergraduate students
- Academic Staff: The exact number of academic staff at Pennsylvania State University - Altoona is not provided in the sources. However, it mentions specific roles and faculty members, indicating a substantial number of academic staff, but a precise count is not given. Therefore, I can only provide an approximate range based on the information available: **over 100** academic staff
- Administrative Staff: 500 administrative staff
Notable Alumni
- they do list notable alumni from the main campus of Penn State
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Students talk about this school
Good reviews
Overall 5
It’s vastly under rated.
Overall 4.7
If you ever heard the Eddie Money song "I Wanna Go Back," it summarizes in many ways my Penn State Altoona days. Loved my time there, learned a lot both educationally and about myself and wouldn't travel my time at "Ivyside" for anything. Getting my BA is one of my crowning achievements & I would do it again there in a moment's notice.
Overall 4.6
W school
Overall 4.5
The campus is small, so it’s not so intimidating to get used to, and classes are also small compared to other colleges, making it easier for professors to get to know their students and vise versa. I’m here because I’m majoring in Rail Transportation Engineering here. It’s only American college that has a dedicated railroad major.
Overall 4.5
It is a great campus. There is always activities to participate in. It is a good campus to ease your way into college. Also nice being close to university park for game days. Just like any other campus you will only have as fun as you make it.
Overall 4.5
I honestly didn't know what to expect whenever I decided to come here and I have had nothing but success. Once here, I got involved on campus and I have never had a better experience. The professors care about you and really want you to succeed. Coming from a small high school, it was a perfect transition into college.
Overall 4.5
great memories
Overall 4.3
This is the only college in America that has the opportunity for students to earn a degree in Rail Transportation Engineering. And that is why I’m here. Plus, the campus is small so it doesn’t feel that intimidating, and classes are smaller that at most colleges, making it easier for professors to know their students. And vise versa.
Overall 4.3
I love Penn State Altoona. It's a nice, small campus for someone looking to know their prof. and other students. It's a good campus to do a 2+2 program to start you out small. Its even a good campus to stay all 4 years, like I'm doing. However, if you're a math major, don't come here. Many kids take their math classes somewhere else over the summer
Overall 4.3
its good stuff
Bad reviews
Overall 1.1
Never go here
Overall 1.2
This campus is all about the hype, dont come. The people here are very anti-social or grouped up with friends, the food is AWFUL, the police are always on campus doing NOTHING but trying to find trouble and lack of fun. The campus overall allows randoms on our campus at any time of day, the faculty is awful and they act like they have attitudes.
Overall 1.6
Foods gross, nothing going on, boring. It's okay. Nothing special. If you are torn between this campus and another school, maybe choose that other school.
Overall 1.7
There isn't much to do around here unless you're into eating only fried food and having the cops/ security come to every party 30 minutes into it...
Overall 1.8
Don’t go here, the food sucks and there’s nothing to do.
Overall 1.8
Social scene is a joke. Everyone is cliquy and not nice. The food is disgusting and made me and my roommate physically multiple times. Classes are great as well as professors though. Theres nothing to do on or off campus unless you go up to State College. Campus is beautiful but way too small and empty all the time which makes you feel alone.
Overall 1.8
ok school
Overall 2
I'm going to keep this short: freshman year lived at the oak hall, the most disgusting place ever, at the beginning of the fall prepare to bring 10 fans. The place has no AC. food is terrible, I met good friends that I still talk to this day, but everyone there is weird and you'll understand that if you decide to go there.
Overall 2
The nearby scenery is beautiful, however the city it's in is a dump. Unless you're Asian or Middle Eastern you won't have friends because these 2 groups seem to be the biggest and happiest. Great location if transferring to main, however I suggest a different college like Pitt or Temple. Very small, nothing to do after class. Overpriced food!
Overall 2
Almost every student here is only attending this university to go to main campus. And its no surprise as to why.