Harrisburg Area Community College is an accessible, affordable, high quality, comprehensive community college. The multi-campus college serves as a premier educational and workforce development institution. The presence of quality instruction and cutting edge technology, business and industry collaboration, and a learning-centered environment provides students the necessary knowledge, skills and values to compete and excel in a global community.
School Highlights
Harrisburg Area Community College serves 18,971 students (21% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the state community college average of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the state average of 48%.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
Enrollment: 18,971 students
In-state tuition: $7,440
Out-state tuition: $10,695
Student:teacher ratio: 14:1
Minority enrollment: 36%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
The student population of Harrisburg Area Community College has grown by 8% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 has increased from 13:1 over five years.
The Harrisburg Area Community College diversity score of 0.56 is less than the state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
18,971 students
361 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
# Full-Time Students
3,929 students
310 students
# Part-Time Students
15,042 students
134 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
189 students
300 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,929 students
300 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
15,042 students
134 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
12 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
330 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
5%
5%
% Hispanic
12%
11%
% Black
10%
15%
% White
64%
52%
% Hawaiian
n/a
3%
% Two or more races
4%
3%
% Non Resident races
2%
1%
% Unknown races
3%
10%
Diversity Score
0.56
0.68
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.1608%
0.6111%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.3822%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$35,700
$34,900
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $7,440 is less than the state average of $10,557. The in-state tuition has declined by 8% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,695 is less than the state average of $15,342. The out-state tuition has grown by 10% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$7,440
$10,557
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,695
$15,342
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
96%
91%
Median Debt for Graduates
$17,500
$13,620
Median Debt for Dropouts
$7,250
$6,234
Acceptance Rate
n/a
78%
SAT Reading
n/a
460
SAT Math
n/a
470
SAT Writing
n/a
435
ACT Composite
n/a
20
ACT English
n/a
20
ACT Math
n/a
21
ACT Writing
n/a
7
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
Established February 14, 1964, as the first community college in
Pennsylvania, HACC welcomed its first class of 426 students on
September 21 of the same year. HACC has become one of the largest
undergraduate colleges in Pennsylvania, with nearly 11,000 students
enrolling in credit programs and courses each semester. A
multi-campus college, Harrisburg Area Community College offers
programs and courses at four campuses and one Center: the $64
million, 215-acre Harrisburg Campus in Harrisburg, the Lancaster
Campus, the Lebanon Campus , Gettysburg Campus, and the York
Center. Courses are also offered at additional locations throughout
southcentral Pennsylvania includeing online. The Harrisburg,
Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York locations are linked
through compressed video classrooms which allow students on all
four campuses to participate in the same class. The college offers
Career programs, Certificate programs, Diploma programs and
Transfer Programs. The College awards Associate in Arts (AA),
Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
degrees, Certificates of Proficiency, and Diplomas. Most programs
are offered at the Harrisburg Campus, and many are available at the
campuses in Lancaster, Lebanon and Gettysburg. The College is
accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Pennsylvania
Department of Education has authorized the College to award the
Associate's degree, with specific programs receiving national
accreditation.
President Obama recently introduced a plan to deliver free Community College tuition to all Americans across the country. Is it the right call?In this story, we will not attempt to make a judgment call on whether free Community College is right or wrong for the United States. Instead, we paneled a few experts in education and economics to get their take on the issue. We’re showing both sides of the coin, and letting readers decide on their own.
We offer straightforward advice on identifying transferable skills, exploring job opportunities, leveraging community resources, and embracing lifelong learning. With relatable examples and encouragement, this guide aims to empower readers to navigate the job market confidently and successfully transition into new careers.
For Pennsylvania public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $10,557 per year for in-state students and $15,342 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $17,177 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.
