UD vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

University of Delaware is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

UD vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 of Delaware than Penn State Harrisburg ($19,139 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 5.9% lower than at University of Delaware ($14,474 vs. $15,386).
• University of Delaware is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $838 more per year; $16,810.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.6% higher at UD than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $14,442 more per year; $41,400.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at Penn State Harrisburg (91% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Delaware students is 43.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($13,302 vs. $9,245).

UD vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Delaware (1280) is 60 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming UD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than UD (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

UD vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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 of Delaware's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Delaware graduates have a $2,615 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($24,203 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UD graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($250 vs. $277).
• More UD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.