Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Middletown, Pennsylvania |
| Online | psu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Penn State Harrisburg, located in Middletown, Pennsylvania, sits on a suburban 218-acre campus approximately 10 miles southeast of the state capital of Harrisburg. Established in 1966 as a graduate center and later expanded to include undergraduate programs, the campus serves as a major public research institution in the Penn State system. The college offers more than 65 degree programs across five academic schools, with particular emphasis in engineering, business, behavioral sciences, and public affairs. Students can access on-campus housing in traditional residence halls and apartment-style living facilities, while the campus maintains modern academic buildings, research laboratories, and a newly expanded library. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Penn State Harrisburg Nittany Lions, primarily participating in the North Eastern Athletic Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Penn State Harrisburg is rated within the top 50% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Penn State Harrisburg within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#595 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#191 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#51 in Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
#7 in Best Public Colleges in Pennsylvania
#588 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#51 in Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1110/1320 |
| ACT | 26/30 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.48 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $65 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Pennsylvania Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,840 |
| Other Fees | $556 |
| Room and Board | $15,870 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,788 |
| Total One Year Cost | $38,442 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,840 |
| Other Fees | $556 |
| Room and Board | $15,870 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,788 |
| Total One Year Cost | $49,166 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 34% |
| Engineering | 23% |
| Psychology | 7% |
| Communication | 7% |
| English and Literature | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Penn State Harrisburg are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=214713 IPEDS survey data for Penn State Harrisburg.
Current students may use the Penn State Harrisburg GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025