RACC vs. Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Reading Area Community College in Reading, 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.

Reading Area Community College is larger than Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology based on total student enrollment (5,369 students vs. 171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Reading Area Community College is located in Reading, PA (Small City setting); Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is in Pleasant Gap, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Reading 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: Reading Area Community College 19:1; Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology 10:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, RACC 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 RACC ($4,107 vs. $9,089).
• In-state tuition differs between Reading Area Community College and Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology ($11,310.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between RACC and Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology ($12,510.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reading Area Community College than at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (74% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology students is 25.3% larger than aid received by Reading Area Community College students ($7,021 vs. $5,603).

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

Which college is harder to get into, RACC 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 RACC.

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

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

How do outcomes compare for RACC 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 $3,832 lower median loan debt than RACC graduates ($6,768 vs. $10,600).
• Among borrowers, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RACC graduates ($69 vs. $109).
• More Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RACC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 33%)

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.