Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Newark is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University Newark is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rutgers University Newark 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 Newark 14:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Newark than Penn State Harrisburg ($18,276 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 10% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($14,474 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $1,278 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.4% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $9,804 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University Newark than at Penn State Harrisburg (72% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 88.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($17,405 vs. $9,245).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 70 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; 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-Newark (3.23).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

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

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark 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 Newark graduates have a $4,603 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark 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-Newark 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.