Fairfield University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Fairfield University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield 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 Fairfield University ($23,788 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 27% lower than at Fairfield University ($14,474 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 265.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $42,378 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.4% higher at Fairfield University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $31,392 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Penn State Harrisburg (96% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 184.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($26,274 vs. $9,245).

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 110 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Fairfield University 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: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University 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 Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University 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).

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.