Alfred University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Should I go to Alfred University or Penn State Harrisburg? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alfred University or Penn State Harrisburg is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alfred University vs. Penn State Harrisburg comparison
Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg College 3 College 4
Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
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Overview

Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
Location Alfred, NY Middletown, PA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,843 4,651
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #595
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alfred.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
Tuition (In State) $38,270 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $38,270 $26,112
Room & Board $14,240 $15,870
Avg Net Price $26,127 $22,406
Avg Grant Aid $28,371 $8,421
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 54%

Admission

Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,761 10,296
Admitted 3,751 9,924
Acceptance Rate 48.3% 96.4%
Enrolled % 11.5% 12.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/31 26/30
SAT Range 1100/1280 1110/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Engineering (23%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
Graduation Rate 60% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,700 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $279 $277

Diversity

Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
% Men 6% 5%
% Women 17% 6%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 66% 59%
% Black 9% 11%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 10%
% Unknown Race 10% 2%

Students

Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
% In-State 72% 46%
% Out-of-State 20% 27%

Campus

Alfred University Penn State Harrisburg
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Penn State Harrisburg is larger than than Alfred University based on total student enrollment (4,651 students vs. 1,843 students)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred University or Penn State Harrisburg?

  • Alfred University is 148.7% more expensive to attend than Penn State Harrisburg for in-state tuition ($38,270.00 vs. $15,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.6% higher at Alfred University than Penn State Harrisburg ($38,270.00 vs. $26,112.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Harrisburg than Alfred University ($22,406 vs. $26,127)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alfred University are 11.4% lower than costs at Penn State Harrisburg ($14,240 vs. $15,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alfred University than Penn State Harrisburg (99% vs. 54%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alfred University students is 236.9% larger than aid received Penn State Harrisburg ($28,371 vs. $8,421)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alfred University or Penn State Harrisburg? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State Harrisburg or Alfred University .

  • The average SAT score at Alfred University (1057) is 14 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1043)
  • Incoming Alfred University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (23)
  • Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Alfred University (3.4)
  • Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Alfred University (48.3%)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alfred University or Penn State Harrisburg? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State Harrisburg and Alfred University.

  • The graduation rate at Penn State Harrisburg is higher than Alfred University (63% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn on average $9,600 more per year than Alfred University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $45,700)
  • Penn State Harrisburg students graduate with a $182 lower median federal student loan debt than Alfred University graduates. ($26,818 vs. $27,000)
  • Penn State Harrisburg graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Alfred University graduates. ($277 vs. $279)
  • More Alfred University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/