LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana Tech University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (11,873 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana Tech University is located in Ruston, LA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Louisiana Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana Tech University 21:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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 Louisiana Tech University than Penn State Harrisburg ($12,325 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana Tech University are 33.5% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($9,618 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 57.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech (about $5,847 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $10,125.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.8% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Louisiana Tech University (about $10,092 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $16,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana Tech University than at Penn State Harrisburg (95% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana Tech University students is 31.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($12,149 vs. $9,245).

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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 LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 10 points higher than at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech (1210).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana Tech University 1100/1310; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana Tech University 21/27; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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 Louisiana Tech University's (49%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana Tech University graduates have a $6,953 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($19,865 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($205 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 58%)

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.