HACC vs. Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, PA with Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology in Pleasant Gap, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harrisburg Area Community College is larger than Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology based on total student enrollment (12,585 students vs. 171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harrisburg Area Community College is located in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting); Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is in Pleasant Gap, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Harrisburg Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harrisburg Area Community College 13:1; Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology 10:1.

HACC vs. Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HACC or Central Pennsylvania Institute 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 Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology than HACC ($4,107 vs. $12,059).
• In-state tuition differs between Harrisburg Area Community College and Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology ($9,495.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between HACC and Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology ($12,472.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology than at Harrisburg Area Community College (67% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology students is 12.7% larger than aid received by Harrisburg Area Community College students ($7,021 vs. $6,230).

HACC vs. Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HACC or Central Pennsylvania Institute 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 Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology and HACC.

• Harrisburg Area Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HACC - Open admission; Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology - Test-free.

HACC vs. Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HACC and Central Pennsylvania Institute 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology graduates have a $12,894 lower median loan debt than HACC graduates ($6,768 vs. $19,662).
• Among borrowers, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HACC graduates ($69 vs. $203).
• More Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HACC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 42%)

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.