MVNU vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, OH 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 MVNU based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,671 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MVNU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MVNU 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 Mount Vernon Nazarene University than Penn State Harrisburg ($22,961 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University are 28.2% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($10,394 vs. $14,474).
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University is 132.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $21,186 more per year; $37,158.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at MVNU than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $10,200 more per year; $37,158.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Vernon Nazarene University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Vernon Nazarene University students is 190.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($26,886 vs. $9,245).

MVNU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MVNU 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 MVNU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 40 points higher than at MVNU (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at MVNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Vernon Nazarene University 1046/1315; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Vernon Nazarene University 18/25; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MVNU - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MVNU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than MVNU (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at MVNU vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

MVNU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MVNU 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 Mount Vernon Nazarene University's (57%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than MVNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates have a $282 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,536 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, MVNU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($274 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MVNU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.