Penn State Harrisburg vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University than Penn State Harrisburg ($16,419 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 2.7% lower than at Old Dominion University ($14,474 vs. $14,878).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 25.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $3,222 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.3% higher at Old Dominion than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $6,822 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at Penn State Harrisburg (94% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 27% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($11,740 vs. $9,245).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 30 points higher than at Old Dominion (1190).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at Old Dominion (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Old Dominion (90.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg and Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $3,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.