Elon vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Elon vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($23,788 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 3.4% lower than at Elon University ($14,474 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 194% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $30,986 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.2% higher at Elon than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $20,000 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at Penn State Harrisburg (77% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 93.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($17,867 vs. $9,245).

Elon vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 10 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Elon vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.