Western New England University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Western New England University in Springfield, MA 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 Western New England University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western New England University is located in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western New England University 12:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Western New England University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western New England 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 Penn State Harrisburg than Western New England University ($23,788 vs. $27,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 7% lower than at Western New England University ($14,474 vs. $15,570).
• Western New England University is 199.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $31,848 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.4% higher at Western New England University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $20,862 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western New England University than at Penn State Harrisburg (97% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 257.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($33,067 vs. $9,245).

Western New England University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western New England 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 Western New England University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 20 points higher than at Western New England University (1200).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Western New England University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western New England University 1090/1300; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western New England University 21/28; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western New England University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western New England University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Western New England University (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Western New England University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Western New England University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western New England 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 Western New England University's (61%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Western New England University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New England University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University 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.