Bentley vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Bentley University in Waltham, MA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bentley University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bentley vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley 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 Bentley ($23,788 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 28.1% lower than at Bentley University ($14,474 vs. $20,140).
• Bentley University is 281.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $45,028 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 126.3% higher at Bentley than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $34,042 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Penn State Harrisburg (88% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 264.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($33,673 vs. $9,245).

Bentley vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley 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 Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bentley University (1360) is 140 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Bentley students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Bentley (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Bentley vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley 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).

• Bentley University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $31,900 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bentley University graduates have a $318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Bentley graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($274 vs. $277).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.