Details on Penn State University Harrisburg campus?

I'm curious about what it's like to attend Penn State University's Harrisburg campus. How's the campus vibe and academic environment there compared to other Penn State campuses? Any insights from current or former students would be super helpful.

Penn State Harrisburg, often referred to as the Capitol College, is one of the largest campuses in the Penn State system. This campus is located in Middletown, a small and tranquil town that offers many recreational activities for students. The student body consists of about 5,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, which is significantly smaller than the University Park campus.

Students at Penn State Harrisburg are generally enthusiastic about the academic opportunities it offers. The college has a reputation for having strong and competitive engineering, business, and communications programs among its more than 65 undergraduate programs. In particular, many students admire the flexibility of designing their degree programs to meet their personal interests and career goals.

Despite being smaller than University Park, Penn State Harrisburg offers a lively and welcoming community. The campus hosts various activities and events throughout the year, such as Homecoming, music festivals, and cultural celebrations, which provide ample opportunities for students to get involved and socialize.

In terms of housing, on-campus housing at Penn State Harrisburg is available, but many upper-class students choose to live off-campus due to the open availability of affordable housing options around Middletown.

As for athletics, Penn State Harrisburg is a part of the NCAA Division III and offers a wide array of sports teams. They also have a full gym and recreation center available for all students.

In terms of how it differs from other campuses, Penn State Harrisburg provides a bridge between the smaller, branch campuses and the main, University Park campus. It offers the academic rigor of Penn State's main campus but with a lower student to faculty ratio, which many students find beneficial for their learning experiences.

Overall, the environment at Penn State Harrisburg is described as friendly, supportive, and academically challenging. As with all campuses, the best way to get a feel for it is to visit the campus, if possible. This way, you can see firsthand what the facilities are like, meet current students, and talk to faculty in your prospective department.