Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, 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 Gettysburg College based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gettysburg College 10:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gettysburg College 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 Gettysburg College ($23,788 vs. $32,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 10.2% lower than at Gettysburg College ($14,474 vs. $16,110).
• Gettysburg College is 317.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $50,668 more per year; $66,640.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.2% higher at Gettysburg College than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $39,682 more per year; $66,640.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Penn State Harrisburg (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gettysburg College students is 432.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($49,191 vs. $9,245).

Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gettysburg College 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 Gettysburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gettysburg College (1370) is 150 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Gettysburg College 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: Gettysburg College 1270/1460; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gettysburg College 29/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gettysburg College - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Gettysburg College (38.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Gettysburg College vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Gettysburg College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gettysburg College 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).

• Gettysburg College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Gettysburg College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have a $4,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($227 vs. $277).
• More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.