Penn State Harrisburg vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Harrisburg 15:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg or VCU? 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 VCU ($23,788 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 20.7% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,474 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $973 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at VCU than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $13,151 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Penn State Harrisburg (88% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 53.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($14,186 vs. $9,245).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 80 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than VCU (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.