Rowan University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Rowan University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (21,026 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rowan University is located in Glassboro, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rowan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rowan University 17:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Rowan University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rowan 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 Rowan University than Penn State Harrisburg ($23,761 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 14.5% lower than at Rowan University ($14,474 vs. $16,928).
• Rowan University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $602 more per year; $16,574.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Rowan University (about $26 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $26,932.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rowan University than at Penn State Harrisburg (93% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rowan University students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($12,419 vs. $9,245).

Rowan University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rowan 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 Rowan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 10 points higher than at Rowan University (1210).
• Incoming Rowan University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at Penn State Harrisburg (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 1110/1310; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rowan University 23/29; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rowan University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Rowan University (3.44).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Rowan University (77.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at Rowan University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Rowan University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rowan 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).

• Rowan University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Rowan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rowan University graduates have a $6,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rowan University graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($206 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rowan University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.