Pace University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Pace University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (13,634 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pace University is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Pace University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pace University 14:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Pace University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pace 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 Pace University ($23,788 vs. $34,791).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 35.8% lower than at Pace University ($14,474 vs. $22,553).
• Pace University is 233.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $37,318 more per year; $53,290.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.7% higher at Pace University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $26,332 more per year; $53,290.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pace University than at Penn State Harrisburg (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pace University students is 280.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($35,136 vs. $9,245).

Pace University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pace University (1260) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Pace University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at Penn State Harrisburg (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pace University 1180/1340; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pace University 24/29; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pace University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pace University Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Pace University (3.4).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Pace University (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Pace University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Pace University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pace 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Pace University's (53%).
• Graduates from Pace University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pace University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Pace University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pace University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.