Penn State Harrisburg vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA with West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than West Virginia University at Parkersburg based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting); West Virginia University at Parkersburg is in Parkersburg, WV (Small Suburban setting).
• Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Harrisburg 15:1; West Virginia University at Parkersburg 17:1.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg than Penn State Harrisburg ($1,948 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 0.5% lower than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($14,474 vs. $14,544).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 246.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $11,360 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $4,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 195.5% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $17,834 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $9,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University at Parkersburg than at Penn State Harrisburg (88% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students is 23.7% larger than aid received by West Virginia University at Parkersburg students ($9,245 vs. $7,472).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Harrisburg or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Penn State Harrisburg.

• West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; West Virginia University at Parkersburg - Open admission.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg and West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg's (31%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $23,800 more per year than West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $31,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have a $14,787 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($12,031 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have an estimated $153 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($124 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University at Parkersburg students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 33%)

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.