Ohio University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Ohio University Main Campus is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (26,323 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio University Main Campus is located in Athens, OH (Distant Town setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Ohio University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio University Main Campus 18:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Ohio University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio 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 Ohio University Main Campus than Penn State Harrisburg ($21,907 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio University Main Campus are 2.2% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($14,162 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio University (about $1,814 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $14,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Ohio University Main Campus (about $2,120 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $24,838.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio University Main Campus than at Penn State Harrisburg (94% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($9,422 vs. $9,245).

Ohio University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 30 points higher than at Ohio University (1190).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Ohio University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 1090/1290; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 22/28; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ohio University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Ohio University (85%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at Ohio University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Ohio University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio 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).

• Ohio University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Ohio University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio University Main Campus graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Ohio University graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 51%)

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.