Marist University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Marist University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (6,356 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Marist University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marist University 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 Marist University ($23,788 vs. $42,508).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 21.6% lower than at Marist University ($14,474 vs. $18,460).
• Marist University is 199% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $31,778 more per year; $47,750.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.1% higher at Marist University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $20,792 more per year; $47,750.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marist University than at Penn State Harrisburg (96% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marist University students is 171.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($25,067 vs. $9,245).

Marist University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marist University 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 Marist University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marist University (1270) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Marist University 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: Marist University 1190/1340; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marist University 25/31; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marist University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marist University Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marist University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Marist University (56.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Marist University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Marist University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marist University 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).

• Marist University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Marist University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marist University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Marist University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Marist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.