Public

Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown, Pennsylvania·Public, 4-year or above·Mid East·harrisburg.psu.edu

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg's acceptance rate is 97.6% (2024). Its six-year graduation rate is 26% and its four-year rate is 18% (2024). In-state tuition and fees are $15,972 and out-of-state tuition and fees are $26,958 (2024). Fall enrollment is 4,478 students, and 4,918 enrolled over the full 12-month year (2024). Source: IPEDS.

Acceptance
97.6%
+11.7pp vs peer
6-yr graduation
26%
-25.0pp vs peer
Total enrollment
4,478
peer median 10,677
Avg net price
$23,330
+$9.9k vs peer
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About

Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg—Capital College, commonly known as Penn State Harrisburg, is an undergraduate college and graduate school of the Pennsylvania State University located in Lower Swatara Township, Pennsylvania. The campus is 9 miles (14 km) south of Harrisburg. Penn State offers 2 associate, 34 baccalaureate, 19 master's, and three doctoral degree programs as well as certificate, certification, and joint degree programs. It was an upper division college from its founding in 1966 until accepting freshmen and sophomores in 2004.

Admissions & acceptance rate

First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.

Applied
9,316
9,316 candidates competed
Admitted
9,092
97.6% acceptance rate
Enrolled
1,022
11.2% yield

Graduation rate & outcomes

Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.

Overall completion
26%
4-year graduation
18%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
26%-25.0pp vs peer
Full-time retention
82%

Pell equity

21.4pp gap
Pell recipients
43%89 of 206
Non-Pell (all)
22%167 of 774
Subsidized loan, no Pell
34%68 of 200
No Federal Aid
17%99 of 574

Pell recipients here graduate at a 21.4-point higher rate than non-Pell students, unusual and worth a closer look.

Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.

Tuition & cost

What families actually pay, broken down by family income.

Net price by family income

Aid exceeds costFamily pays
$0–30k$16,219
$30–48k$16,221
$48–75k$21,176
$75–110k$25,103
$110k+$29,834

Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.

Avg net price
$23,330
+$9,858vs peer median $13,473
Federal loans
41.5%
In-state tuition and fees
$15,972
Out-of-state tuition and fees
$26,958

Student loan default rate

The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.

Of 17,838 borrowers who entered repayment, 254 (1.4%) defaulted within three years — below the 2.3% national rate.

Default rate
1.4%
-0.9pp vs 2.3% national
Borrowers in repayment
17,838
Defaulted
254
Measurement window
3 years
Federal CDR standard

Default rate vs national, by cohort

2016
4.9%
2017
5.0%
2018
4.0%
2019
1.4%
2020*
0.0%
This institutionNational rate

* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

Academic programs at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Top program areas ranked by completions.

Distinct CIP programs77
UndergraduateOffered
GraduateOffered

Top program families by completions

774 total completions
01Engineering
16621.4%
02Business
16521.3%
03Computer Sciences
14618.9%
04Psychology
607.8%
05Biological Sciences
577.4%
06Health Professions
506.5%
07Education
496.3%
08Security/Protective
324.1%
09Parks/Recreation
283.6%
10Social Sciences
212.7%

Enrollment trends & demographics

Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.

Fall total
4,478
12-mo unduplicated
4,918
Undergraduate
4,374
Graduate
544

Gender split

Men
58%2,847
Women
42%2,071

Race / ethnicity composition

White
46.0%
Asian
14.4%
Non-resident
14.1%
Black
10.1%
Hispanic
9.6%
Two or more
3.9%
Unknown
1.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.1%

Athletics & Title IX gender equity

How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.

Athletes
285
152 M · 133 W
Women athletes
46.7%
Athletic aid
$0
Total student aid
Budget
$1.8M
Total expenses

Men vs women · spending splits

Athletic student aid
$0
$0
Recruiting expense
$39K
$17K
Head-coach salaries
$21K
$23K
Men Women

Sport-by-sport · 11

Soccer
34 M · 29 W
$208K
Baseball
50 M · —
$106K
Track and Field (Outdoor)
25 M · 14 W
$46K
Track and Field (Indoor)
25 M · 13 W
$49K
Basketball
14 M · 14 W
$236K
Tennis
13 M · 10 W
$92K

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

Campus safety & crime statistics

Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.

Criminal offenses · per 1,000 students
1.94
9 offenses · 4,651 students

3-year trend

1.751 yr ago1.94Latest
Offenses · 3-yr
26
Last three years
VAWA · 3-yr
20
DV, dating, stalking
Hate crimes · 3-yr
0
Res-hall fires · 3-yr
0

Criminal offenses by type

Rape
2
Fondling
2
Aggravated assault
2
Motor vehicle theft
2
Burglary
1

By location

9total
  • On campus9

Includes 5 in residence halls (a subset of on-campus, not added to the total).

VAWA offenses

0
Domestic violence
4
Dating violence
3
Stalking
7 total under the Violence Against Women Act.

Hate crimes by bias

No hate crimes reported.

Arrests vs disciplinary referrals

CategoryArrestsReferrals
Weapons00
Drugs44
Liquor022

Residence-hall fires

No residence-hall fires reported.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

Student-faculty ratio

Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.

Student-to-faculty
15.0:1
Instructional staff (full-time equivalent)
216

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Peer comparison

The peer institutions Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg selected for federal comparison reporting.

6-yr gradRetentionSelectivityEnrollmentAffordabilityYield
This institutionPeer median

A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.

Carnegie
SubjectPennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
26%97.6%4,478$23,330—
Alabama State University
30%97.6%4,081$20,435Doctoral/Professional
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
56%93.1%11,092$15,699—
Eastern Kentucky University
55%77.6%15,673$11,040Doctoral/Professional
Ferris State University
56%91.4%9,959$8,624Doctoral/Professional
Florida Gulf Coast University
57%63.4%16,612$12,568Doctoral/Professional
Grand Valley State University
67%83.0%22,011$16,317Doctoral/Professional
Indiana State University
43%80.8%7,895$10,873Doctoral/Professional
Kean University
47%75.9%13,905$12,447Doctoral/Professional
Lamar University
37%86.4%17,772$9,366Doctoral/Professional
Missouri State University-Springfield
58%90.5%24,360$17,613Doctoral/Professional
Northern Kentucky University
54%67.6%15,347$8,191Doctoral/Professional
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus
56%63.1%1,296$18,048—
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
34%91.2%13,774$19,550—
Purdue University Global
33%Open admission45,588$7,770Doctoral/Professional
Radford University
49%89.5%7,812$14,578Doctoral/Professional
Stockton University
69%88.9%8,631$20,670Doctoral/Professional
Texas Woman's University
49%96.1%15,361$11,963Doctoral/Professional
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
50%81.1%11,775$14,265Doctoral/Professional
University of Central Arkansas
53%89.5%10,112$16,511Doctoral/Professional
University of Hawaii at Hilo
48%60.6%2,668$11,856Doctoral/Professional
University of Houston-Clear Lake
52%90.5%8,137$15,563Doctoral/Professional
University of Louisiana at Monroe
53%84.8%8,601$13,466Doctoral/Professional
University of Massachusetts Global
—92.9%8,996$32,654Doctoral/Professional
University of Michigan-Flint
40%70.5%6,529$7,007Doctoral/Professional
University of Northern Colorado
51%85.9%8,869$17,760Doctoral/Professional
University of West Georgia
43%51.6%14,337$12,786Doctoral/Professional
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
54%86.5%12,953$14,305Doctoral/Professional
Valdosta State University
42%72.3%10,262$10,945Doctoral/Professional
Western Carolina University
60%81.8%11,686$13,315Doctoral/Professional
Western Kentucky University
58%93.9%16,291$10,990Doctoral/Professional
Winston-Salem State University
47%78.3%4,782$13,479Doctoral/Professional
Peer group median51%85.9%10,677$13,473

Institutions like Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Explore the federal data for institutions in Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg's comparison group.

  • Doctoral/ProfessionalAlabama

    Alabama State University

    Grad rate
    30%
    Admit rate
    97.6%
    Enrollment
    4,081
    Net price
    $20,435
  • Pennsylvania

    Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

    Grad rate
    56%
    Admit rate
    93.1%
    Enrollment
    11,092
    Net price
    $15,699
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalKentucky

    Eastern Kentucky University

    Grad rate
    55%
    Admit rate
    77.6%
    Enrollment
    15,673
    Net price
    $11,040
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalMichigan

    Ferris State University

    Grad rate
    56%
    Admit rate
    91.4%
    Enrollment
    9,959
    Net price
    $8,624
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalFlorida

    Florida Gulf Coast University

    Grad rate
    57%
    Admit rate
    63.4%
    Enrollment
    16,612
    Net price
    $12,568
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalMichigan

    Grand Valley State University

    Grad rate
    67%
    Admit rate
    83.0%
    Enrollment
    22,011
    Net price
    $16,317
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalIndiana

    Indiana State University

    Grad rate
    43%
    Admit rate
    80.8%
    Enrollment
    7,895
    Net price
    $10,873
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalNew Jersey

    Kean University

    Grad rate
    47%
    Admit rate
    75.9%
    Enrollment
    13,905
    Net price
    $12,447
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalTexas

    Lamar University

    Grad rate
    37%
    Admit rate
    86.4%
    Enrollment
    17,772
    Net price
    $9,366
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalMissouri

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Grad rate
    58%
    Admit rate
    90.5%
    Enrollment
    24,360
    Net price
    $17,613
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalKentucky

    Northern Kentucky University

    Grad rate
    54%
    Admit rate
    67.6%
    Enrollment
    15,347
    Net price
    $8,191
  • Oregon

    Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

    Grad rate
    56%
    Admit rate
    63.1%
    Enrollment
    1,296
    Net price
    $18,048
  • Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

    Grad rate
    34%
    Admit rate
    91.2%
    Enrollment
    13,774
    Net price
    $19,550
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalIndiana

    Purdue University Global

    Grad rate
    33%
    Admit rate
    Open admission
    Enrollment
    45,588
    Net price
    $7,770
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalVirginia

    Radford University

    Grad rate
    49%
    Admit rate
    89.5%
    Enrollment
    7,812
    Net price
    $14,578
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalNew Jersey

    Stockton University

    Grad rate
    69%
    Admit rate
    88.9%
    Enrollment
    8,631
    Net price
    $20,670
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalTexas

    Texas Woman's University

    Grad rate
    49%
    Admit rate
    96.1%
    Enrollment
    15,361
    Net price
    $11,963
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalTennessee

    The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

    Grad rate
    50%
    Admit rate
    81.1%
    Enrollment
    11,775
    Net price
    $14,265
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalArkansas

    University of Central Arkansas

    Grad rate
    53%
    Admit rate
    89.5%
    Enrollment
    10,112
    Net price
    $16,511
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalHawaii

    University of Hawaii at Hilo

    Grad rate
    48%
    Admit rate
    60.6%
    Enrollment
    2,668
    Net price
    $11,856
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalTexas

    University of Houston-Clear Lake

    Grad rate
    52%
    Admit rate
    90.5%
    Enrollment
    8,137
    Net price
    $15,563
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalLouisiana

    University of Louisiana at Monroe

    Grad rate
    53%
    Admit rate
    84.8%
    Enrollment
    8,601
    Net price
    $13,466
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalCalifornia

    University of Massachusetts Global

    Grad rate
    —
    Admit rate
    92.9%
    Enrollment
    8,996
    Net price
    $32,654
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalMichigan

    University of Michigan-Flint

    Grad rate
    40%
    Admit rate
    70.5%
    Enrollment
    6,529
    Net price
    $7,007
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalColorado

    University of Northern Colorado

    Grad rate
    51%
    Admit rate
    85.9%
    Enrollment
    8,869
    Net price
    $17,760
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalGeorgia

    University of West Georgia

    Grad rate
    43%
    Admit rate
    51.6%
    Enrollment
    14,337
    Net price
    $12,786
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalWisconsin

    University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

    Grad rate
    54%
    Admit rate
    86.5%
    Enrollment
    12,953
    Net price
    $14,305
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalGeorgia

    Valdosta State University

    Grad rate
    42%
    Admit rate
    72.3%
    Enrollment
    10,262
    Net price
    $10,945
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalNorth Carolina

    Western Carolina University

    Grad rate
    60%
    Admit rate
    81.8%
    Enrollment
    11,686
    Net price
    $13,315
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalKentucky

    Western Kentucky University

    Grad rate
    58%
    Admit rate
    93.9%
    Enrollment
    16,291
    Net price
    $10,990
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalNorth Carolina

    Winston-Salem State University

    Grad rate
    47%
    Admit rate
    78.3%
    Enrollment
    4,782
    Net price
    $13,479

Campus network

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a campus of a larger institution. See its main campus and the other campuses in the same network.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg Institutional Research office

The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.

Office
Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research
Phone
814-863-8721
Address
203 Rider Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

The nexus of research, accreditation, assessment, and strategic planning that supports individual unit endeavors towards organizational excellence by making institutional data and strategic information easily accessible, clearly understood, and well-leveraged both within the University and across the Commonwealth.

Visit IR office page
Team
15 members
  • Carly Sunseri
    Assistant Vice Provost for Institutional Research
  • Kim Marchek
    Lead Data Process Analyst
  • Katarina Durasova
    Director of Data Modeling
  • Sravani Gogulamudi
    Business Intelligence Specialist
  • Jeffrey Molek
    Business Intelligence Specialist
  • Bhavya Pidikiti
    Business Intelligence Specialist
  • Aaron Tippett
    Director of Data Science and Analytics
  • Sandy Tak
    Associate Director of Data Science and Analytics
  • Xianzeng Niu
    Data Scientist
  • Humaira Rahman
    Data Analyst
  • Yuanhong Zhu
    Data Scientist
  • Aida Ali Akreyi
    Director of Institutional Reporting
  • Cheryl Murphy
    Institutional Reporting Programmer
  • Holly Pedri
    Institutional Reporting Specialist
  • Russ Richins
    Institutional Data Analyst

Common Data Set

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg's own annual Common Data Set: the most detailed self-reported reference for selectivity, cost, outcomes, and the student body.

Source publications

Reports & documents (6)

Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.

Frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Quick answers to the questions most often asked about Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.

What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg's acceptance rate is 97.6% (9,092 admitted from 9,316 applicants), based on the latest IPEDS.

What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate is 26% and its four-year rate is 18%, per 2024 IPEDS data.

How many students attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg reports a total enrollment of 4,478 students per the latest IPEDS.

What is the average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is $23,330 per the latest College Scorecard. Net price is the published cost of attendance minus grant aid.

What is the yield rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg's yield rate is 11.2%, the share of admitted students who enrolled, per the latest IPEDS.

Where is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg located?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057-4846.

Who runs Institutional Research at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg's IR work is done by the Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research.

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.
DAPIP accreditationContinuously refreshed
Accreditation status for institutions and programs, reported by recognized accrediting agencies.
Federal Pell Grant & loan volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Pell Grant and Direct Loan recipient counts, award amounts, and disbursement volume by institution and award year.
Cohort Default RatesFY 2022 official rates
Institution-level federal student loan default rates, measuring borrowers who default within three years of entering repayment.
Equity in Athletics (EADA)Academic year 2024–25
Athletics participation, coaching, revenues, and expenses by sport and gender for Title IV institutions.
Campus Safety & SecurityData through reporting year 2024
Criminal offenses, arrests, disciplinary actions, VAWA offenses, and fire statistics reported by campus under the Clery Act.

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