Houghton University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Houghton University in Houghton, NY 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 Houghton University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houghton University 12:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton 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 Houghton University than Penn State Harrisburg ($21,274 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 21.5% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($11,360 vs. $14,474).
• Houghton University is 15.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $2,458 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.3% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Houghton University (about $8,528 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houghton University students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($9,902 vs. $9,245).

Houghton University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Houghton 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 Houghton University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Houghton University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Houghton University (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Houghton 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).

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University graduates have a $1,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($25,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Houghton University graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.