Goucher College vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Goucher College in Baltimore, MD 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 Goucher College based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,459 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Goucher College is located in Baltimore, MD (Small City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Goucher College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Goucher College 9:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Goucher College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Goucher 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 Goucher College ($23,788 vs. $26,913).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 15.8% lower than at Goucher College ($14,474 vs. $17,190).
• Goucher College is 234% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $37,378 more per year; $53,350.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.9% higher at Goucher College than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $26,392 more per year; $53,350.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Goucher College than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Goucher College students is 373.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($43,791 vs. $9,245).

Goucher College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 10 points higher than at Goucher College (1210).
• Incoming Goucher College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Goucher College 1090/1325; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Goucher College 27/30; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Goucher College - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Goucher College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Goucher College (3.23).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Goucher College (77.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Goucher College vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Goucher College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Goucher 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).

• Goucher College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Goucher College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Goucher College graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Goucher College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Goucher College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.