Gannon University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Gannon University in Erie, 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 Gannon University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 4,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Gannon University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gannon 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 Gannon University than Penn State Harrisburg ($23,123 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 9.3% lower than at Gannon University ($14,474 vs. $15,960).
• Gannon University is 154.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $24,684 more per year; $40,656.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.8% higher at Gannon University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $13,698 more per year; $40,656.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gannon University than at Penn State Harrisburg (85% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gannon University students is 222.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($29,799 vs. $9,245).

Gannon University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 100 points higher than at Gannon University (1120).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Gannon University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gannon University 990/1250; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gannon University 20/28; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gannon University - Test-free; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Gannon University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Gannon University (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at Gannon University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Gannon University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gannon 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).

• Gannon University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Gannon University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Gannon 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 Gannon University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gannon University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.