Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is located in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($23,788 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 10.7% lower than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($14,474 vs. $16,200).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 300.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $47,988 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.3% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $37,002 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Penn State Harrisburg (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 426.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($48,666 vs. $9,245).

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have the same average high school GPA (3.48) as students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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).

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.