Staten Island vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Staten Island CUNY is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (11,033 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Staten Island vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island 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 College of Staten Island CUNY than Penn State Harrisburg ($6,525 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 31.6% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($14,474 vs. $21,155).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 113.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $8,482 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.6% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $11,518 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Staten Island CUNY than at Penn State Harrisburg (80% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students is 8.4% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($9,245 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island 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 Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 150 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Staten Island (92.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Staten Island vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $12,831 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($13,987 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $133 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($144 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 49%)

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.