Penn State Harrisburg

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Penn State Harrisburg meets 54.2% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Penn State Harrisburg full-time are awarded $11,464 a year in financial aid, on average.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $38,919 of debt.

Does Penn State Harrisburg Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

**Penn State Harrisburg is a public, state institution, **

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can save students a lot of money on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Take the time to check your state's rules for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Penn State Harrisburg International Student Tuition

Penn State Harrisburg has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or Penn State Harrisburg-specific aid and scholarships.

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Penn State Harrisburg Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Penn State Harrisburg.

House and Food Costs at Penn State Harrisburg

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Penn State Harrisburg

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area might be pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Penn State Harrisburg campus is in a town in Pennsylvania.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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The Full Cost of Attending Penn State Harrisburg

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Penn State Harrisburg.

Total Cost of Penn State Harrisburg

What will the cost of attending Penn State Harrisburg be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Penn State Harrisburg’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for part-time students •Course level for both full and part-time students

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Penn State Harrisburg Financial Aid

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The majority of Penn State Harrisburg undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 2,088 of the 4,117 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Penn State Harrisburg meets 54.2% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,464 a year. Around 52.53% of Penn State Harrisburg undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Penn State Harrisburg graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $38,919 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,558
Penn State Harrisburg-Specific Loans	$5,750
Private Loans	$48,235

Most Common Loans for Penn State Harrisburg Students
Federal Loans	50.84%
Institutional Loans	0.56%
Private loans	18.54%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Penn State Harrisburg financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Penn State Harrisburg

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Penn State Harrisburg awarded 1,173 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $131.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $4.99 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Penn State Harrisburg

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Penn State Harrisburg students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Penn State Harrisburg was $11,464 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Penn State Harrisburg seem more manageable.

What will attending Penn State Harrisburg really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Penn State Harrisburg's net cost calculator on their website.

Penn State Harrisburg Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Penn State Harrisburg does not have guaranteed tuition.

Penn State Harrisburg offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Penn State Harrisburg Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Penn State Harrisburg has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Penn State Harrisburg's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Penn State Harrisburg's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Penn State Harrisburg

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To learn more about Penn State Harrisburg, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

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