Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Pennsylvania Western

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Pennsylvania Western University 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 Harrisburg has more expensive tuition & fees ($26,958) than Pennsylvania Western ($16,054).
  • It is harder to admit to Pennsylvania Western than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Pennsylvania Western (1,060).
  • Penn State Harrisburg has higher submitted ACT score (27) than Pennsylvania Western (21).
  • Pennsylvania Western has more students with 10,834 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 Pennsylvania Western's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • Pennsylvania Western has more full-time faculties with 493 faculties while Penn State Harrisburg has 246 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State Harrisburg Pennsylvania Western
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Pennsylvania Western University
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationCalifornia, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
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
In-State$11,436
Out-Of-State$16,054
63%% Receiving Financial Aid78%
$10,737Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,709
97.60 %Acceptance Rates94.33 %
11.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)27.33 %
1,220SAT Score1,060
27ACT Score21
26 %Graduation Rate52 %
-Transfer-out Rate1 %
82 %Retention Rate72 %
4,478Student Population10,834
246Number of Faculties493
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 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, Placement services, On-campus daycare