Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and CMU

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

  • Penn State Harrisburg is a public and CMU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • CMU has more expensive tuition & fees ($65,636) than Penn State Harrisburg ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to CMU than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • CMU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Penn State Harrisburg (1,220).
  • CMU has higher submitted ACT score (27) than Penn State Harrisburg (27).
  • CMU has more students with 15,888 students while Penn State Harrisburg has 4,478 students.
  • CMU has a lower number of students per faculty with 5 to 1 while Penn State Harrisburg's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • CMU has more full-time faculties with 1,387 faculties while Penn State Harrisburg has 246 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Carnegie Mellon University
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$65,636
63%% Receiving Financial Aid48%
$10,737Average Amount of Financial Aid$47,608
97.60 %Acceptance Rates11.66 %
11.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)45.67 %
1,220SAT Score1,540
27ACT Score35
26 %Graduation Rate94 %
-Transfer-out Rate2 %
82 %Retention Rate98 %
4,478Student Population15,888
246Number of Faculties1,387
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio5 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services