Emerson vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Emerson vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Emerson ($23,788 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 30.8% lower than at Emerson College ($14,474 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 257.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $41,084 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.6% higher at Emerson than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $30,098 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Penn State Harrisburg (77% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 192% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($26,997 vs. $9,245).

Emerson vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 130 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Emerson vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.