UNCSA vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC 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 UNCSA based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts 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 North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

UNCSA vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 North Carolina School of the Arts than Penn State Harrisburg ($13,140 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 6.6% lower than at Penn State Harrisburg ($13,517 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 68.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $6,495 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at UNCSA than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $253 more per year; $27,211.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Harrisburg than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (63% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 39.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($12,876 vs. $9,245).

UNCSA vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Penn State Harrisburg students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

UNCSA vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.