- Central Penn College is a career-oriented, baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate, residential college in Summerdale, a suburb of Harrisburg, with an offsite location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Central Penn College offers associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs for both traditional and continuing education students by providing hands-on and online distance education taught by experienced, caring faculty.
School Highlights
Central Penn College serves 1,223 students (19% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the state community college average of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 48%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 1,223 students
- Private-state tuition: $18,714
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Student:teacher ratio: 12:1
- Minority enrollment: 52%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Central Penn College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Resources
School Overview
The teacher population of 101 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Central Penn College
(PA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Mixed Baccalaureate/Associate's
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Private not-for-profit
Total Faculty
101 staff
58 staff

School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Central Penn College has grown by 16% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 has increased from 10:1 over five years.
The Central Penn College diversity score of 0.73 is more than the state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has grown by 40% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,223 students
361 students

Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1

# Full-Time Students
235 students
310 students

# Part-Time Students
988 students
134 students



# Enrollment Undergraduate
119 students
300 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
235 students
300 students

# Full-Time Graduate Students
29 students
10 students



# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
957 students
134 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
31 students
12 students


Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
330 students

% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a

% Asian
3%
5%

% Hispanic
11%
11%

% Black
17%
15%

% White
48%
52%

% Hawaiian
n/a
3%

% Two or more races
4%
3%

% Non Resident races
3%
1%
% Unknown races
13%
10%


Diversity Score
0.73
0.68

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
n/a
0.6111%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.3587%
0.3822%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$36,500
$34,900

Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The private state tuition of $18,714 is more than the state average of $17,177. The private state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$18,714
$17,177

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
100%
91%

Median Debt for Graduates
$23,558
$13,620

Median Debt for Dropouts
$7,334
$6,234

Acceptance Rate
89%
78%

SAT Reading (Year 2017)
390
480
SAT Math (Year 2017)
395
470
SAT Writing
n/a
435
ACT Composite (Year 2017)
15
21
ACT English (Year 2017)
12
19
ACT Math (Year 2017)
16
19
ACT Writing
n/a
7
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Central Penn College is a career-oriented, baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate, residential college in Summerdale, a suburb of Harrisburg, with an offsite location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Central Penn College offers associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs for both traditional and continuing education students by providing hands-on and online distance education taught by experienced, caring faculty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Central Penn College cost?
Central Penn College's private state tuition is approximately $18,714.
What schools are Central Penn College often compared to?
Central Penn Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Harrisburg Area Community College by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Central Penn College?
The acceptance rate of Central Penn College is 89%, which is higher than the state average of 78%.
What is Central Penn College's ranking?
Central Penn College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Pennsylvania for: Diversity in US community colleges and Percent of students receiving financial aid.
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