Penn State Harrisburg vs. Bryant University

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than Bryant University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 3,636 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting); Bryant University is in Smithfield, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryant University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Harrisburg 15:1; Bryant University 13:1.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Bryant University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg or Bryant University? 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 Bryant University ($23,788 vs. $42,139).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 17.4% lower than at Bryant University ($14,474 vs. $17,528).
• Bryant University is 229.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $36,705 more per year; $52,677.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.4% higher at Bryant University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $25,719 more per year; $52,677.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryant University than at Penn State Harrisburg (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bryant University students is 203.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($28,035 vs. $9,245).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Bryant University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Harrisburg or Bryant University? 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 Bryant University and Penn State Harrisburg.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bryant University (1260) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Bryant 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: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310; Bryant University 1190/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31; Bryant University 27/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; Bryant University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bryant University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Bryant University (3.43).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Bryant University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg vs. 13.7% at Bryant University.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Bryant University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg and Bryant University? 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).

• Bryant University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Bryant University earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,500 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Bryant University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryant University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Bryant University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.