University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston 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 Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 Massachusetts Boston than Penn State Harrisburg ($17,768 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 24.3% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($14,474 vs. $19,128).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $64 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.4% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $11,167 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Penn State Harrisburg (88% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 51.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($14,042 vs. $9,245).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 Massachusetts-Boston.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 40 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,758 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($22,060 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($228 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 58%)

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.