Penn State Harrisburg vs. Texas Southmost College

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA with Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Southmost College is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (8,828 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting); Texas Southmost College is in Brownsville, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southmost College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Harrisburg 15:1; Texas Southmost College 23:1.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Texas Southmost College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg or Texas Southmost College? 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 Texas Southmost College than Penn State Harrisburg ($2,905 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Southmost College are 11.6% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($12,801 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 326.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas Southmost College (about $12,224 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $3,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 444.8% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Texas Southmost College (about $22,010 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $4,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southmost College than at Penn State Harrisburg (85% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Texas Southmost College students ($9,245 vs. $8,129).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Texas Southmost College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Harrisburg or Texas Southmost College? 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 Texas Southmost College and Penn State Harrisburg.

• Texas Southmost College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; Texas Southmost College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas Southmost College Aug 1, 2027.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Texas Southmost College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg and Texas Southmost College? 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 Texas Southmost College's (17%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Texas Southmost College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Southmost College graduates have a $11,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($15,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Texas Southmost College graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($155 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas Southmost College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 38%)

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.