Jacksonville State University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Jacksonville State University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (9,955 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jacksonville State University is located in Jacksonville, AL (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Jacksonville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Jacksonville State University 19:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Jacksonville State University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jacksonville State 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 Jacksonville State University than Penn State Harrisburg ($14,221 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jacksonville State University are 34.2% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($9,524 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 23.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jacksonville State University (about $3,078 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $12,894.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Jacksonville State University (about $3,624 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $23,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jacksonville State University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville State University students is 7.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($9,925 vs. $9,245).

Jacksonville State University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jacksonville State 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 Jacksonville State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 70 points higher than at Jacksonville State University (1150).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Jacksonville State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville State University 1000/1290; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville State University 17/24; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jacksonville State University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Jacksonville State University (3.43).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Jacksonville State University (77.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Jacksonville State University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Jacksonville State University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jacksonville State 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 Jacksonville State University's (32%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than Jacksonville State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Jacksonville State University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Jacksonville State University graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 39%)

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.