University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Mount Union in Alliance, OH 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 University of Mount Union based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,461 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mount Union is located in Alliance, OH (Distant Town setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Mount Union is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mount Union 15:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Mount Union 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 Mount Union than Penn State Harrisburg ($23,616 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mount Union are 12.1% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($12,720 vs. $14,474).
• University of Mount Union is 129.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $20,628 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at University of Mount Union than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $9,642 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mount Union than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mount Union students is 176.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($25,597 vs. $9,245).

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Mount Union 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 Mount Union.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 140 points higher than at University of Mount Union (1080).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at University of Mount Union).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mount Union 910/1240; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mount Union 18/25; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Mount Union - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at University of Mount Union (3.33).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than University of Mount Union (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at University of Mount Union vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Mount Union 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 Mount Union's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than University of Mount Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than University of Mount Union graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Mount Union graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More University of Mount Union 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.