Chatham vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Chatham University in Pittsburgh, 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 Chatham based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Chatham vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham 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 Chatham ($23,788 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 6% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($13,600 vs. $14,474).
• Chatham University is 179.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $28,654 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.5% higher at Chatham than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $17,668 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 225.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($30,095 vs. $9,245).

Chatham vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham 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 Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 40 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Chatham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Chatham vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham 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 Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.