LRC vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, 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 LRC based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

LRC vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC 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 LRC ($23,788 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 7.5% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($13,390 vs. $14,474).
• La Roche University is 113.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $18,080 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at LRC than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $7,094 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Roche University than at Penn State Harrisburg (81% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 149.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($23,083 vs. $9,245).

LRC vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or Penn State Harrisburg? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Harrisburg and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 150 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at LRC (3.2).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

LRC vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and Penn State Harrisburg? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.