Salisbury vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salisbury vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury 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 Salisbury University than Penn State Harrisburg ($18,760 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 4% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($13,900 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 44.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $4,888 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at Salisbury University (about $4,784 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Penn State Harrisburg (88% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students is 1.3% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($9,245 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salisbury 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 Salisbury.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Salisbury (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Salisbury vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury 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).

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $6,665 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($20,153 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($208 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury 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.