Purchase College vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Purchase College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Penn State Harrisburg ($18,211 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 11.9% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($14,474 vs. $16,436).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 78.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $7,019 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $7,755 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Penn State Harrisburg (72% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($10,432 vs. $9,245).

Purchase College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 60 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Purchase College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($232 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.