Franklin Pierce University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH 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 Franklin Pierce University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,654 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Franklin Pierce University is located in Rindge, NH (Rural Fringe setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Franklin Pierce University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Franklin Pierce University 13:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Franklin Pierce University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Franklin Pierce University 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 Franklin Pierce University ($23,788 vs. $26,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 12.5% lower than at Franklin Pierce University ($14,474 vs. $16,548).
• Franklin Pierce University is 190.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $30,470 more per year; $46,442.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.3% higher at Franklin Pierce University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $19,484 more per year; $46,442.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin Pierce University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin Pierce University students is 311.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($38,033 vs. $9,245).

Franklin Pierce University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Franklin Pierce University 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 Franklin Pierce University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 50 points higher than at Franklin Pierce University (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin Pierce University 1057/1282; 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: Franklin Pierce University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Franklin Pierce University (2.97).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Franklin Pierce University (93.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at Franklin Pierce University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Franklin Pierce University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Franklin Pierce University 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 Franklin Pierce University's (51%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Franklin Pierce University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $41,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Franklin Pierce University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Franklin Pierce University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Franklin Pierce University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.