Holy Cross vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Holy Cross vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Penn State Harrisburg? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Harrisburg than Holy Cross ($23,788 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 23.1% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($14,474 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 303.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $48,528 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.3% higher at Holy Cross than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $37,542 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Harrisburg than at College of the Holy Cross (63% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 379.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($44,334 vs. $9,245).

Holy Cross vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or Penn State Harrisburg? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Harrisburg and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 110 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Holy Cross students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Holy Cross vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and Penn State Harrisburg? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• College of the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $25,100 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $682 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($277 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.