Arcadia vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA 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 Arcadia based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Arcadia vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia 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 Arcadia ($23,788 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 15.8% lower than at Arcadia University ($14,474 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 210.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $33,638 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84% higher at Arcadia than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $22,652 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Penn State Harrisburg (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 275.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($34,705 vs. $9,245).

Arcadia vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia 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 Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 50 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Arcadia vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia 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 Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.