Rider University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than Rider University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 4,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rider University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider University or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Rider University ($23,788 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 16% lower than at Rider University ($14,474 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 157.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $25,148 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.5% higher at Rider University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $14,162 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 216.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($29,294 vs. $9,245).

Rider University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 10 points higher than at Rider University (1210).
• Incoming Rider University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 1100/1320; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 27/31; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Rider University (3.41).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Rider University (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Rider University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider University and Penn State Harrisburg? 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).

• The graduation rate at Rider University is the same as at Penn State Harrisburg (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Rider University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rider University graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rider University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($266 vs. $277).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.