ECU vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

ECU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU 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 East Carolina University than Penn State Harrisburg ($13,755 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 20.3% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($11,541 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 117% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $8,611 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at East Carolina University (about $3,320 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Harrisburg than at East Carolina University (63% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Carolina University students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($9,776 vs. $9,245).

ECU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU 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 ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 60 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Penn State Harrisburg - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at ECU (3.33).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than ECU (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

ECU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU 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 East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,030 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($24,788 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($256 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.