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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Point Park University

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a public university in Middletown, PA. Point Park University is a private university in Pittsburgh, PA. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg about 98%, making Point Park University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,330 a year at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg after aid, and about $25,942 at Point Park University. About 59% of students graduate at Point Park University, 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 $45,856 for Point Park University.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown, PA · Public

Point Park University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Middletown, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
4,031
2,331
Acceptance rate
98%
97%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.23–3.73
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
1120–1310
1030–1245
ACT (middle 50%)
22–31
19–26
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,330
$25,942
Full cost / yr
$32,521
$52,643
In-state tuition
$15,972
$39,570
Out-of-state tuition
$26,958
$39,570
Application fee
$65
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,219
$22,436
$30k - $48k
$16,221
$22,064
$48k - $75k
$21,176
$22,362
$75k - $110k
$25,103
$27,325
Over $110k
$29,834
$29,813
Outcomes
Graduation rate
28%
59%
Freshman retention
82%
74%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$55,620
$36,906
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,435
$45,856
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
26%
39%
First-generation students
29%
29%
International students
14%
4%
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 Point Park University harder to get into?
Point Park University is harder to get into. It admits about 97% of applicants, compared with 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. 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 Point Park University?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,330 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,942 at Point Park University. 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 Point Park University?
Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg costs about $32,521 a year and Point Park University about $52,643. 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 Point Park University?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,219 there, against about $22,436 at Point Park University. 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 Point Park University?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is the larger of the two, with about 4,031 undergraduates against 2,331 at Point Park University.
Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Point Park University have a better graduation rate?
Point Park University has the higher graduation rate, at about 59% against 28% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.
Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg or Point Park University 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 $45,856 for Point Park University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Point Park University 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. Point Park University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Point Park University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1120–1310 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and 1030–1245 at Point Park University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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