Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, PA and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lancaster, PA.

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationLancaster, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$32,150
63%% Receiving Financial Aid96%
$10,737Average Amount of Financial Aid$13,485
97.60 %Acceptance Rates99.24 %
11.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)32.49 %
1,220SAT Score-
27ACT Score-
26 %Graduation Rate69 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
82 %Retention Rate85 %
4,478Student Population414
246Number of Faculties15
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes)
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services