Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Penn State

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public and located in Pennsylvania

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.

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • Penn State has more expensive tuition & fees ($41,790) than Penn State Harrisburg ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Penn State has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Penn State Harrisburg (1,220).
  • Penn State has higher submitted ACT score (27) than Penn State Harrisburg (27).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,737 students while Penn State Harrisburg has 4,478 students.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has a lower number of students per faculty with 15 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 4,174 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.Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationUniversity Park, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
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
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
63%% Receiving Financial Aid50%
$10,737Average Amount of Financial Aid$14,013
97.60 %Acceptance Rates60.56 %
11.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.11 %
1,220SAT Score1,330
27ACT Score30
26 %Graduation Rate86 %
-Transfer-out Rate2 %
82 %Retention Rate93 %
4,478Student Population50,737
246Number of Faculties4,174
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 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, On-campus daycare