VSU vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Should I go to Virginia State University or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VSU or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Virginia State University vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology comparison
Virginia State University Harrisburg University of Science and Technology College 3 College 4
Virginia State University Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
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Overview

VSU Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Location Petersburg, VA Harrisburg, PA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 4,648 3,082
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #980
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vsu.edu harrisburgu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VSU Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Tuition (In State) $5,540 $23,900
Tuition (Out of State) $16,542 $23,900
Room & Board $11,544 $9,150
Avg Net Price $15,773 $10,022
Avg Grant Aid $11,498 $23,589
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 100%

Admission

VSU Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,230 1,160
Admitted 7,384 978
Acceptance Rate 89.7% 84.3%Open
Enrolled % 18.7% 14.2%Open
Avg High School GPA 2.85 3.42
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/17
SAT Range 830/1030
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

VSU Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (35%)
  • Biology (35%)
  • General Studies (25%)
  • Business (5%)

Outcomes

VSU Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Graduation Rate 40% 9%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,700 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 28% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,500 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $305 $274

Diversity

VSU Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
% Men 40% 55%
% Women 60% 45%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU Yes No
% White 3% 39%
% Black 87% 37%
% Hispanic 2% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

VSU Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
% In-State 72% 72%
% Out-of-State 27% 28%

Campus

VSU Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia State University is larger than than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology based on total student enrollment (4,648 students vs. 3,082 students)

VSU vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology?

  • Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is 331.4% more expensive to attend than VSU for in-state tuition ($23,900.00 vs. $5,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 44.5% higher at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than Virginia State University ($23,900.00 vs. $16,542.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than VSU ($10,022 vs. $15,773)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are 26.2% lower than costs at Virginia State University ($9,150 vs. $11,544)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students is 105.2% larger than aid received Virginia State University ($23,589 vs. $11,498)

VSU vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VSU or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Harrisburg University of Science and Technology or VSU .

  • Accepted freshman Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at VSU (2.85)
  • VSU has a higher acceptance rate (89.7%) than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (84.3%)

VSU vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VSU or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and VSU.

  • The graduation rate at VSU is higher than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (40% vs. 9%)
  • Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than VSU graduates. ($26,500 vs. $29,500)
  • Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than VSU graduates. ($274 vs. $305)
  • More Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/