At $12,117/yr net price, Harrisburg Area Community College graduates earn $42,007/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,007/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,117 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,468 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,007/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,007/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,289/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,375/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,528/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,143/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,636/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $59,527 | $21,250 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $55,061 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $53,839 | $20,112 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $50,563 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $49,423 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $44,102 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Certificate | $42,682 | |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Associate | $42,123 | $13,809 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $40,512 | $18,977 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $39,729 |
The Risk Factor
20.5% of students at Harrisburg Area Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Harrisburg Area Community College gives you a mixed financial picture that swings hard on your major. The median graduate earns about $42,000 ten years out, and median debt sits at $17,500. That debt load is manageable against those earnings, but the 20.5% graduation rate is the number that should worry you most. Four out of five students don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, the ROI math falls apart entirely.
The programs that pay off here are all in healthcare and skilled trades. Registered Nursing leads at nearly $60,000, followed by dental support, allied health diagnostics, and clinical lab science, all clustering around $50,000 to $55,000. HVAC technician training lands close behind at $50,563. These are the reasons to enroll. Nursing does carry the highest debt among them at $21,250, but the earnings cover it.
The risk specific to HACC is the gap between these strong vocational tracks and everything else. The listed programs are all associate-level, career-focused credentials. If you enroll without a clear line to nursing, allied health, or a trade, you're gambling on that 20.5% completion rate with no earnings data to back a payoff.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 in household income, you pay around $10,300 a year. Above $110,000, that climbs to $16,636, and the jump from the $48-75k tier to the $75-110k tier is where the cost really steps up.
This school is a good fit for you if you want to enter nursing, a health technician field, or the trades and can commit to finishing. If you're using it as a transfer stepping stone or exploring without a plan, the low completion rate makes it a weak bet for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harrisburg Area Community College worth the cost?
Harrisburg Area Community College offers solid value if you choose the right program and graduate. The nursing and dental programs lead to starting salaries around $55,000-$59,000, making the $12,117 annual cost reasonable, but the 20% graduation rate means many students leave without finishing.
What are the best paying programs at Harrisburg Area Community College?
Nursing programs top the list with graduates earning around $59,527, followed by dental support services at $55,061 and allied health programs at $53,839. HVAC technician training also pays well at $50,563, all significantly above the school's overall graduate average of $42,007.
How much debt do Harrisburg Area Community College students graduate with?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $17,500, which is manageable if you complete a high-paying program like nursing or dental services. However, students who don't finish still carry debt without the credential needed for better-paying jobs.
What is the graduation rate at Harrisburg Area Community College?
Only 20.5% of students graduate from Harrisburg Area Community College, meaning four out of five students leave without completing their program. This low completion rate is the biggest risk factor when considering whether the school is worth attending.