UB vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Baltimore in Baltimore, MD 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 UB based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 3,187 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Baltimore is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Baltimore is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Baltimore 10:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

UB vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UB 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 University of Baltimore than Penn State Harrisburg ($14,545 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 25.2% lower than at University of Baltimore ($14,474 vs. $19,350).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 59.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UB (about $5,980 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $9,992.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at University of Baltimore (about $2,974 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $23,984.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Baltimore than at Penn State Harrisburg (84% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Baltimore students is 20.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($11,113 vs. $9,245).

UB vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UB 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 UB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 180 points higher than at UB (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Baltimore 740/1330; 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: UB - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at UB (2.89).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than UB (78.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37% at UB vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

UB vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UB 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).

• Graduates from University of Baltimore earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,600 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Baltimore graduates have a $5,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($222 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 45%)

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.