Penn State Harrisburg vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than CNU based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Harrisburg 15:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg or CNU? 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 Christopher Newport University than Penn State Harrisburg ($23,148 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 13.9% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($12,460 vs. $14,474).
• Christopher Newport University is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $856 more per year; $16,828.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at CNU than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $4,220 more per year; $31,178.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christopher Newport University than at Penn State Harrisburg (64% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christopher Newport University students is 13.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($10,494 vs. $9,245).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. CNU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 40 points higher than at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU 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; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than CNU (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg vs. 18% at CNU.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Penn State Harrisburg is the same as at Christopher Newport University (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.