University of Maine vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maine is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (12,029 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maine is located in Orono, ME (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maine 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 Maine 15:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

University of Maine vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Maine 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 Maine than Penn State Harrisburg ($18,061 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maine are 7.4% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($13,410 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 19.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Maine (about $2,646 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $13,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.3% higher at University of Maine than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $9,798 more per year; $36,756.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maine than at Penn State Harrisburg (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maine students is 39.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($12,909 vs. $9,245).

University of Maine vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Maine 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 of Maine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 20 points higher than at University of Maine (1200).
• Incoming University of Maine 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 of Maine 1070/1330; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maine 22/30; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Maine - Test-free; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at University of Maine (3.42).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than University of Maine (96.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at University of Maine vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

University of Maine vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Maine 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 University of Maine's (60%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than University of Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maine graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, University of Maine graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More University of Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.