Delaware Valley University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, 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 Delaware Valley University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,199 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Delaware Valley University is located in Doylestown, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Delaware Valley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Delaware Valley University 14:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Delaware Valley University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Delaware Valley University 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 Delaware Valley University ($23,788 vs. $28,975).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 4% lower than at Delaware Valley University ($14,474 vs. $15,076).
• Delaware Valley University is 180.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $28,878 more per year; $44,850.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.4% higher at Delaware Valley University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $17,892 more per year; $44,850.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Delaware Valley University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Delaware Valley University students is 234.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($30,894 vs. $9,245).

Delaware Valley University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Delaware Valley University or Penn State Harrisburg? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Harrisburg and Delaware Valley University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 20 points higher than at Delaware Valley University (1200).
• Incoming Delaware Valley University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 26) as students at Penn State Harrisburg (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Delaware Valley University 1090/1303; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Delaware Valley University 23/30; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Delaware Valley University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Delaware Valley University (3.46).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Delaware Valley University (93.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.6% at Delaware Valley University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Delaware Valley University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Delaware Valley University and Penn State Harrisburg? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Delaware Valley University's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Delaware Valley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Delaware Valley University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Delaware Valley University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Delaware Valley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.