Penn State Harrisburg vs. Roger Williams University

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than Roger Williams University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 4,350 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting); Roger Williams University is in Bristol, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Roger Williams University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Harrisburg 15:1; Roger Williams University 10:1.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Roger Williams University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg or Roger Williams 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 Roger Williams University ($23,788 vs. $38,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 15.4% lower than at Roger Williams University ($14,474 vs. $17,112).
• Roger Williams University is 178.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $28,446 more per year; $44,418.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.8% higher at Roger Williams University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $17,460 more per year; $44,418.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roger Williams University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roger Williams University students is 150.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($23,192 vs. $9,245).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Roger Williams University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Harrisburg or Roger Williams 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 Roger Williams University and Penn State Harrisburg.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roger Williams University (1230) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at Roger Williams University (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310; Roger Williams University 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31; Roger Williams University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; Roger Williams University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Roger Williams 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 Roger Williams University (3.43).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Roger Williams University (87.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg vs. 13% at Roger Williams University.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Roger Williams University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg and Roger Williams 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Roger Williams University's (59%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Roger Williams University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Roger Williams 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 Roger Williams University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Roger Williams University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.