JCU vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare John Carroll University in University Heights, OH 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 JCU based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• John Carroll University is located in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: John Carroll University 13:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

JCU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCU 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 JCU ($23,788 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 0.3% lower than at John Carroll University ($14,474 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 216.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $34,528 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.3% higher at JCU than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $23,542 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 287.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($35,785 vs. $9,245).

JCU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCU 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 JCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming JCU 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: John Carroll University 1180/1330; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: John Carroll University 25/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCU - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at JCU vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

JCU vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCU 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).

• John Carroll University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $121 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($26,818 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($277 vs. $278).
• More JCU 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.