University of North Dakota vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Dakota is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (15,019 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks, ND (Small City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Dakota 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 North Dakota 17:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

University of North Dakota vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Dakota 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 North Dakota than Penn State Harrisburg ($18,076 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Dakota are 21.3% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($11,390 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 45.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Dakota (about $5,021 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $10,951.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.1% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at University of North Dakota (about $11,388 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $15,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Dakota than at Penn State Harrisburg (86% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students is 38.8% larger than aid received by University of North Dakota students ($9,245 vs. $6,663).

University of North Dakota vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Dakota 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 University of North Dakota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 20 points higher than at University of North Dakota (1200).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at University of North Dakota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Dakota 1110/1290; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Dakota 20/26; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Dakota - Test-free; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Dakota Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of North Dakota students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than University of North Dakota (76.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.7% at University of North Dakota vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

University of North Dakota vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Dakota 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 University of North Dakota's (54%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $600 more per year than University of North Dakota graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $54,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Dakota graduates have a $2,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, University of North Dakota graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($253 vs. $277).
• More University of North Dakota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.