Kent State vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Kent State vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State 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 Kent State University at Kent than Penn State Harrisburg ($21,278 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 4.7% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($13,794 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 20.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $2,740 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Kent State University at Kent (about $3,876 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Penn State Harrisburg (95% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kent State University at Kent students is 9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($10,076 vs. $9,245).

Kent State vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State 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 Kent State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 90 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Kent State (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Kent State vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Kent graduates have a $993 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($25,825 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Kent State graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($267 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 46%)

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.