Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a public research university in Middletown, Pennsylvania, serving roughly 4,031 students. Admission is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of about 97.60% in federal reporting data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $63,435 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $15,972
- 2024 Average Net Price: $23,330 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 97.60% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 4,031 94.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 26.12%
- Average SAT Score: 1227
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg: what the data shows
Common questions about Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (ZIP 17057-4846).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg public or private?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a Public institution.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg cost?
Published tuition: $15,972 in-state, $26,958 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $23,330.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $16,219 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $16,221 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $21,176 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $25,103 |
| $110,001+ | $29,834 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $63,888.
How hard is it to get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
Admission rate: 97.60%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1227.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
Total enrollment: 4,031 students.
About 94% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
150%-time completion rate: 26.12%.
First-year retention: 82.1%.
What do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg earn?
Median earnings: $55,620 six years after entry; $63,435 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,000.
26.13% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Other/Unknown Programs (798 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (73 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (62 completions)
- CIP 140801 (41 completions)
- General Biological Sciences (41 completions)
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering (37 completions)
- CIP 513899 (36 completions)
- Computer Science - 11.0401 (30 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (30 completions)
- CIP 521301 (29 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 97.60%; completion rate 26.12%; median earnings $63,435 at 10 years; net price $23,330. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Costs
Tuition Costs
$15,972
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg was $15,972.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$23,330
2024 Value
In 2024 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $23,330.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$93,320 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$23,330 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$63,888 4-Year In-State Tuition
$107,832 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.
Financial Aid by Income Level
26.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
41.47% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $14,240 | $21,302 | $20,547 |
| 2014 | $14,588 | $21,820 | $20,444 |
| 2015 | $14,610 | $22,344 | $21,404 |
| 2016 | $14,828 | $22,834 | $21,656 |
| 2017 | $15,190 | $23,692 | $21,974 |
| 2018 | $15,198 | $24,450 | $23,152 |
| 2019 | $15,206 | $24,916 | — |
| 2022 | $15,904 | $26,370 | $23,705 |
| 2023 | $15,944 | $26,668 | $23,661 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
97.60% Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1227
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
94.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg in 2024 is 4,031 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
82.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
18.32% 100% Completion Time
26.12% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 18.32% of students graduating from Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.
Return on Investment
$25,000 Median Student Debt
$63,435 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
39.41% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
579.76% Return on Investment
3.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services: 73 completions
Mechanical Engineering: 62 completions
CIP 14.0801: 41 completions
General Biological Sciences: 41 completions
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: 37 completions
CIP 51.3899: 36 completions
Computer Science - 11.0401: 30 completions
Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 30 completions
CIP 52.1301: 29 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 798 completions
Most popular programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg graduates.
About
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a public institution located in Middletown, PA, offering 54 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 4,031 students. The admission rate is 97.60%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1227. The institution maintains a 26.12% graduation rate. Approximately 26.13% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Public
Location
Middletown, PA 17057-4846
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 26.12% graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 54 distinct degree programs, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
FAQ
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg cost?
Reported in-state tuition is $15,972 and average net price is $23,330 in the latest College Scorecard data.
How hard is it to get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
The admission rate is 97.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data.
What test scores do students need for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg reports midpoint SAT about 1227.
What do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg earn?
Median earnings are $55,620 six years after entry and $63,435 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
The 150%-time completion rate is 26.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,000.
How big is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
Total enrollment is about 4,031 students in the latest reporting year.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg public or private?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a public institution located in Middletown, PA.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg an HBCU?
No. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg a tribal college?
No. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg does not meet that proxy (reported share 9.6%).
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.