Drexel vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Drexel University 9:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Drexel vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel 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 Drexel ($23,788 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 20% lower than at Drexel University ($14,474 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 290.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $46,440 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.5% higher at Drexel than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $35,454 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 279.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($35,051 vs. $9,245).

Drexel vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel 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 Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 120 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Drexel 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: Drexel University 1240/1440; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Drexel (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Drexel vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel 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).

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $22,100 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $575 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,243 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Drexel 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.