Emerson vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Emerson College and Penn State Harrisburg side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Penn State Harrisburg

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 97.6%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1220.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State Harrisburg. Average net price is $23,788 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Penn State Harrisburg 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Penn State Harrisburg $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Penn State Harrisburg
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Penn State Harrisburg97.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Penn State Harrisburg1120-1310
Average net price
Penn State Harrisburg $29,644 less
Emerson$53,432
Penn State Harrisburg$23,788
In-state tuition
Penn State Harrisburg $41,084 less
Emerson$57,056
Penn State Harrisburg$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State Harrisburg $30,098 less
Emerson$57,056
Penn State Harrisburg$26,958
Graduation rate
Emerson +18 pts
Emerson81%
Penn State Harrisburg63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn State Harrisburg +$6,100
Emerson$49,200
Penn State Harrisburg$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Penn State Harrisburg 9,316
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Penn State Harrisburg 9,092
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Penn State Harrisburg 97.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Penn State Harrisburg 11.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Penn State Harrisburg 1220
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Penn State Harrisburg 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Penn State Harrisburg 3.48
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Penn State Harrisburg B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Penn State Harrisburg Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Penn State Harrisburg
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Penn State Harrisburg 1120-1310
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Penn State Harrisburg 22-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Penn State Harrisburg Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Penn State Harrisburg
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Penn State Harrisburg $15,972
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Penn State Harrisburg $26,958
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Penn State Harrisburg $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Penn State Harrisburg $23,788
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Penn State Harrisburg $9,245
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Penn State Harrisburg 63%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Penn State Harrisburg 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Penn State Harrisburg $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Penn State Harrisburg 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Penn State Harrisburg $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Penn State Harrisburg $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Penn State Harrisburg 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Penn State Harrisburg
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (23%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Penn State Harrisburg Middletown, PA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Penn State Harrisburg Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Penn State Harrisburg 4,478
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Harrisburg Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Penn State Harrisburg #574

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 4,478 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 30.8% lower than at Emerson College ($14,474 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 111.6% higher at Emerson than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $30,098 more per year; $57,056 vs. $26,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Penn State Harrisburg (77% vs. 63%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 192% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($26,997 vs. $9,245).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Emerson than at Penn State Harrisburg (30 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($242 vs. $277).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 69%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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