Columbia College vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Should I go to Columbia College Chicago or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Columbia College Chicago vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology comparison
Columbia College Chicago Harrisburg University of Science and Technology College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
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Overview

Columbia College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Location Chicago, IL Harrisburg, PA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,646 3,082
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu harrisburgu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $23,900
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $23,900
Room & Board $18,000 $9,150
Avg Net Price $28,387 $10,022
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $23,589
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 1,160
Admitted 7,298 978
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 84.3%Open
Enrolled % 22%Open 14.2%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (35%)
  • Biology (35%)
  • General Studies (25%)
  • Business (5%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Graduation Rate 41% 9%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $274

Diversity

Columbia College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
% Men 40% 55%
% Women 60% 45%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 39%
% Black 15% 37%
% Hispanic 11% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
% In-State 57% 72%
% Out-of-State 40% 28%

Campus

Columbia College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 3,082 students)

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?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 22.5% more expensive to attend than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $23,900.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.5% higher at Columbia College than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology ($29,270.00 vs. $23,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than Columbia College ($10,022 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are 96.7% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($9,150 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students is 30.9% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($23,589 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Harrisburg University of Science and Technology or Columbia College .

  • 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 (94.8%) than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (84.3%)

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

Which is better, Columbia College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (41% vs. 9%)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,500)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans 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/