Harrisburg Area Community College
About Harrisburg Area Community College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Harrisburg Area Community College was the first community college in Pennsylvania, opened in 1964, and now teaches from five campuses across the center of the state. Nursing and business are its largest programs.
Founded
1964
Location
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Students
9,533
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
20.7%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$6,975
Out-of-state: $12,472
Avg Net Price
$14,471
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$42,007
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
20.7% complete their degree within three years
Retention
53.9%
Transfer Out
23%
Teaching Quality
13:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
17.4%
$/Student
$7.0K
Class Size
Medium
The 20.7% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$6,975
In-State
$12,472
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,950
Total Cost of Attendance
$18,369
After Financial Aid
$14,471
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$11,685
Receive Grants
33.2%
Take Loans
30.4%
Tuition is $6,975/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $14,471.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Harrisburg Area Community College fund their education.
While in School
33.2%
Get Grants
Free money
30.4%
Take Loans
Must repay
$30,040
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$17,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$186/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 30.4% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $17,500. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Harrisburg Area Community College.
Gender
67%
Female
33%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
9,533
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
49.4%
First-Gen
25 yrs
Avg Age
31.2%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 67% of the student body. 49.4% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
9,533
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Harrisburg Area Community College fields 3 varsity teams with 36 student athletes.
Division
NJCAA
Division III
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
3
Biggest: Basketball
Student Athletes
36
25 men, 11 women
Athletes by Gender
69% / 31%
25
Men
11
Women
2
Men's Teams
1
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Harrisburg Area Community Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$42,007
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$73K
462 grads
1yr Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$30K
179 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$38K
175 grads
1yr Earnings
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
$30K
76 grads
1yr Earnings
Business/Commerce, General
$37K
68 grads
1yr Earnings
Criminal Justice and Corrections
$38K
53 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates earn about $36K six years out, growing to $42K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harrisburg Area Community College
How much does Harrisburg Area Community College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Harrisburg Area Community College?▾
How much do Harrisburg Area Community College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.