HACC vs. LCCC

Comparable Facts

Compare Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, PA with Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harrisburg Area Community College is larger than LCCC based on total student enrollment (12,585 students vs. 6,221 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harrisburg Area Community College is located in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting); Lehigh Carbon Community College is in Schnecksville, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Harrisburg Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harrisburg Area Community College 13:1; Lehigh Carbon Community College 17:1.

HACC vs. LCCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HACC or LCCC? 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 Lehigh Carbon Community College than HACC ($8,645 vs. $12,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg Area Community College are 25.5% lower than at Lehigh Carbon Community College ($11,024 vs. $14,800).
• Harrisburg Area Community College is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than LCCC (about $195 more per year; $9,495.00 vs. $9,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at LCCC than at Harrisburg Area Community College (about $798 more per year; $13,270.00 vs. $12,472.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh Carbon Community College than at Harrisburg Area Community College (65% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh Carbon Community College students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Harrisburg Area Community College students ($6,671 vs. $6,230).

HACC vs. LCCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HACC or LCCC? 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 LCCC and HACC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HACC - Open admission; LCCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: LCCC Jul 7, 2027.

HACC vs. LCCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HACC and LCCC? 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).

• Graduates from Harrisburg Area Community College earn a median of about $800 more per year than LCCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $35,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates have a $8,894 lower median loan debt than HACC graduates ($10,768 vs. $19,662).
• Among borrowers, LCCC graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HACC graduates ($111 vs. $203).
• More LCCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HACC students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.