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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a public university in Middletown, PA, and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private college in Lancaster, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is the more selective of the two, admitting about 98% of applicants against 99% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,330 a year against $30,083 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. About 66% of students graduate at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, compared with 28% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Ten years after enrolling, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg alumni earn a median of about $63,435, against $33,301 for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown, PA · Public

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Lancaster, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Middletown, PA
Lancaster, PA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
4,031
400
Acceptance rate
98%
99%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.23–3.73
3.2–3.7
SAT (middle 50%)
1120–1310
Not reported
ACT (middle 50%)
22–31
Not reported
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,330
$30,083
Full cost / yr
$32,521
$43,815
In-state tuition
$15,972
$32,150
Out-of-state tuition
$26,958
$32,150
Application fee
$65
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,219
$24,547
$30k - $48k
$16,221
$24,115
$48k - $75k
$21,176
$26,576
$75k - $110k
$25,103
$30,876
Over $110k
$29,834
$37,851
Outcomes
Graduation rate
28%
66%
Freshman retention
82%
85%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$55,620
$23,638
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,435
$33,301
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
26%
47%
First-generation students
29%
Not reported
International students
14%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design harder to get into?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is harder to get into. It admits about 98% of applicants, compared with 99% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,330 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,083 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg costs about $32,521 a year and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design about $43,815. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,219 there, against about $24,547 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is the larger of the two, with about 4,031 undergraduates against 400 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design have a better graduation rate?
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has the higher graduation rate, at about 66% against 28% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.
Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design earn more?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg alumni earn more on average: a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling, against about $33,301 for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design require SAT or ACT scores?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

Related comparisons

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