University at Albany- SUNY vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

University at Albany is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany than Penn State Harrisburg ($17,949 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 11.9% lower than at University at Albany ($14,474 vs. $16,423).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 47% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $5,106 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $4,298 more per year; $31,256.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at Penn State Harrisburg (96% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($11,210 vs. $9,245).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany- SUNY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Albany (1220) is the same as at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming University at Albany- SUNY 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: University at Albany 1120/1320; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University at Albany- SUNY 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).

• University at Albany's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $500 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $5,753 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($21,065 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($217 vs. $277).
• More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.