Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Messiah

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Messiah 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 Messiah is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Mechanicsburg, 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 Messiah is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah has more expensive tuition & fees ($42,240) than Penn State Harrisburg ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Messiah has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Penn State Harrisburg (1,220).
  • Both Penn State Harrisburg and Messiah have the same submitted ACT scores (27).
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more students with 4,478 students while Messiah has 3,373 students.
  • Messiah has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Penn State Harrisburg's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more full-time faculties with 246 faculties while Messiah has 175 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Messiah University
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$42,240
63%% Receiving Financial Aid90%
$10,737Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,893
97.60 %Acceptance Rates78.97 %
11.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.06 %
1,220SAT Score1,230
27ACT Score27
26 %Graduation Rate75 %
-Transfer-out Rate19 %
82 %Retention Rate89 %
4,478Student Population3,373
246Number of Faculties175
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services