Washington College vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD 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 Washington College based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Washington College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington College 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 Penn State Harrisburg than Washington College ($23,788 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 20.7% lower than at Washington College ($14,474 vs. $18,250).
• Washington College is 246.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $39,354 more per year; $55,326.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.2% higher at Washington College than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $28,368 more per year; $55,326.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington College students is 370.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($43,485 vs. $9,245).

Washington College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington College 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 Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington College (1270) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Washington College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Washington College (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Washington College vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington College 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).

• Washington College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington College graduates have a $2,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Washington College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($250 vs. $277).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.