Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Lafayette

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Lafayette College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, PA and Lafayette is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Easton, 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 Lafayette is a private (not-for-profit) 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 (1,220) than Penn State Harrisburg (1,220).
  • Lafayette has higher submitted ACT score (27) 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.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Lafayette College
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationEaston, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$64,648
63%% Receiving Financial Aid61%
$10,737Average Amount of Financial Aid$45,956
97.60 %Acceptance Rates31.45 %
11.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.77 %
1,220SAT Score1,430
27ACT Score31
26 %Graduation Rate88 %
-Transfer-out Rate10 %
82 %Retention Rate90 %
4,478Student Population2,775
246Number of Faculties261
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), ROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services