HACC vs. Northampton Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, PA with Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harrisburg Area Community College is larger than Northampton Community College based on total student enrollment (12,585 students vs. 8,810 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Harrisburg Area Community College is located in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting); Northampton County Area Community College is in Bethlehem, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Harrisburg Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northampton County Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Harrisburg Area Community College 13:1; Northampton County Area Community College 19:1.

HACC vs. Northampton Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HACC or Northampton Community College? 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 Northampton County Area Community College than HACC ($11,682 vs. $12,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northampton County Area Community College are 2.3% lower than at Harrisburg Area Community College ($10,770 vs. $11,024).
• Northampton County Area Community College is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than HACC (about $1,875 more per year; $11,370.00 vs. $9,495.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at Northampton Community College than at Harrisburg Area Community College (about $2,798 more per year; $15,270.00 vs. $12,472.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northampton County Area Community College than at Harrisburg Area Community College (65% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northampton County Area Community College students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Harrisburg Area Community College students ($6,528 vs. $6,230).

HACC vs. Northampton Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HACC or Northampton Community College? 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 Northampton Community College 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; Northampton Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northampton Community College Sep 4, 2026.

HACC vs. Northampton Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HACC and Northampton Community College? 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 $900 more per year than Northampton Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $35,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northampton County Area Community College graduates have a $6,662 lower median loan debt than HACC graduates ($13,000 vs. $19,662).
• Among borrowers, Northampton Community College graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HACC graduates ($134 vs. $203).
• More Northampton Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HACC students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.