Rutgers University-Camden vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Camden is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (5,675 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University Camden is located in Camden, NJ (Small City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rutgers University Camden is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University Camden 12:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Rutgers University-Camden vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Camden 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 Rutgers University Camden than Penn State Harrisburg ($19,821 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University Camden are 0.7% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($14,376 vs. $14,474).
• Rutgers University Camden is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $1,792 more per year; $17,764.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at Rutgers University-Camden than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $10,318 more per year; $37,276.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University Camden than at Penn State Harrisburg (94% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Camden students is 80.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($16,726 vs. $9,245).

Rutgers University-Camden vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Camden 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 Rutgers University-Camden.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 40 points higher than at Rutgers University-Camden (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Rutgers University-Camden).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Camden 1050/1300; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Camden 19/25; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Camden - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Rutgers University-Camden (3.23).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Rutgers University-Camden (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 2.4% at Rutgers University-Camden vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Rutgers University-Camden vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Camden 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Rutgers University Camden's (61%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Camden earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Camden graduates have a $4,603 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Camden graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($229 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Camden students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.