Academic Comparison between Lafayette and Penn State Harrisburg

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

Comparison at a Glance

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

  • Lafayette is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Harrisburg is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Lafayette has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,648) than Penn State Harrisburg ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Lafayette than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Lafayette has a higher submitted SAT score (1,430) than Penn State Harrisburg (1,220).
  • Lafayette has higher submitted ACT score (31) than Penn State Harrisburg (27).
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more students with 4,478 students while Lafayette has 2,775 students.
  • Lafayette has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Penn State Harrisburg's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Lafayette has more full-time faculties with 261 faculties while Penn State Harrisburg has 246 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Lafayette Penn State Harrisburg
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Lafayette Collegevs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Easton, PennsylvaniaLocationMiddletown, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie Classification
$64,6482025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
61%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$45,956Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,737
31.45 %Acceptance Rates97.60 %
21.77 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.24 %
1,430SAT Score1,220
31ACT Score27
88 %Graduation Rate26 %
10 %Transfer-out Rate-
90 %Retention Rate82 %
2,775Student Population4,478
261Number of Faculties246
10 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio15 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services