Columbia College vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harrisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 3,650 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 18:1.

Columbia College vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than Columbia College ($15,984 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are 46.5% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($11,040 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 39.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (about $9,688 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $24,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.7% higher at Columbia College than at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (about $9,688 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $24,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 15.6% larger than aid received by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students ($22,780 vs. $19,706).

Columbia College vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Columbia College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (87.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 9.6% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Columbia College vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's (9%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates ($268 vs. $274).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.