Penn State Harrisburg vs. University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting); University of Pittsburgh Johnstown is in Johnstown, PA (Small Suburban setting).
• Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Harrisburg 15:1; University of Pittsburgh Johnstown 14:1.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg or University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown? 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 University of Pittsburgh Johnstown than Penn State Harrisburg ($18,452 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown are 10.6% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($12,940 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (about $1,066 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $14,906.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown (about $178 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $26,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown than at Penn State Harrisburg (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pittsburgh Johnstown students is 32.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($12,209 vs. $9,245).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Harrisburg or University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown? 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 University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown and Penn State Harrisburg.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 120 points higher than at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (1100).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310; University of Pittsburgh Johnstown 985/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31; University of Pittsburgh Johnstown 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (94.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg vs. 17.8% at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg and University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown? 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 University of Pittsburgh Johnstown's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $91 lower median loan debt than University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown graduates ($26,818 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown graduates ($277 vs. $278).
• More University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.