Nazareth University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Nazareth University in Rochester, NY 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 Nazareth University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,401 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nazareth University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Nazareth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nazareth University 8:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Nazareth University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nazareth 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 Nazareth University ($23,788 vs. $30,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 10.9% lower than at Nazareth University ($14,474 vs. $16,250).
• Nazareth University is 165.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $26,478 more per year; $42,450.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Nazareth University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $15,492 more per year; $42,450.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nazareth University than at Penn State Harrisburg (97% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nazareth University students is 195.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($27,292 vs. $9,245).

Nazareth University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 20 points higher than at Nazareth University (1200).
• Incoming Nazareth University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nazareth University 1070/1320; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nazareth University 23/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nazareth University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nazareth University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nazareth University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Nazareth University (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Nazareth University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Nazareth University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nazareth 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).

• Nazareth University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Nazareth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nazareth University graduates have a $317 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,501 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Nazareth University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($274 vs. $277).
• More Nazareth University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.