DeSales University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare DeSales University in Center Valley, 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 DeSales University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,972 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

DeSales University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales 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 DeSales University ($23,788 vs. $31,732).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 4.7% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($13,800 vs. $14,474).
• DeSales University is 193% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $30,828 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.6% higher at DeSales University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $19,842 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DeSales University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 234.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($30,909 vs. $9,245).

DeSales University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DeSales 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 DeSales University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 40 points higher than at DeSales University (1180).
• Incoming DeSales University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: DeSales University 1090/1260; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: DeSales University 27/28; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DeSales University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DeSales University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at DeSales University (3.39).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than DeSales University (77.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at DeSales University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

DeSales University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DeSales 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.

• DeSales University's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than DeSales University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DeSales University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, DeSales University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.