Thomas More College of Liberal Arts vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, NH 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 Thomas More College of Liberal Arts based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 97 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas More College of Liberal Arts is located in Merrimack, NH (Midsize Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Thomas More College of Liberal Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas More College of Liberal Arts 10:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts 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 Thomas More College of Liberal Arts than Penn State Harrisburg ($18,140 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts are 24% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($11,000 vs. $14,474).
• Thomas More College of Liberal Arts is 90.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $14,428 more per year; $30,400.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $3,442 more per year; $30,400.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts than at Penn State Harrisburg (96% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas More College of Liberal Arts students is 159.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($23,993 vs. $9,245).

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts 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 Thomas More College of Liberal Arts.

• Thomas More College of Liberal Arts reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 10 points higher than at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas More College of Liberal Arts 1120/1300; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas More College of Liberal Arts - Open admission; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (3.28).

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas More College of Liberal Arts 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).

• Thomas More College of Liberal Arts's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thomas More College of Liberal Arts students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.