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Central Penn College vs Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private university in Harrisburg, PA. Central Penn College admits about 18% of applicants and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology about 87%, making Central Penn College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,376 a year at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology after aid, and about $18,953 at Central Penn College. About 43% of students graduate at Central Penn College, compared with 39% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Ten years after enrolling, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology alumni earn a median of about $52,374, against $45,370 for Central Penn College.

Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA · Private (for-profit)

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Harrisburg, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private (for-profit)
Private
Location
Summerdale, PA
Harrisburg, PA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
662
615
Acceptance rate
18%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.41–3.91
SAT (middle 50%)
660–910
Not reported
ACT (middle 50%)
13–17
Not reported
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,953
$15,376
Full cost / yr
$27,116
$35,893
In-state tuition
$19,854
$24,400
Out-of-state tuition
$19,854
$24,400
Application fee
Not reported
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,859
$12,637
$30k - $48k
$19,164
$11,292
$48k - $75k
$17,011
$15,063
$75k - $110k
$18,973
$19,420
Over $110k
$23,656
$20,871
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
39%
Freshman retention
65%
74%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$40,798
$34,365
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,370
$52,374
Median debt at graduation
$23,194
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
49%
47%
First-generation students
51%
44%
International students
4%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Central Penn College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology harder to get into?
Central Penn College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 87% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Central Penn College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology?
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,376 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,953 at Central Penn College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Central Penn College and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology about $35,893. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Central Penn College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology?
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,637 there, against about $15,859 at Central Penn College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Central Penn College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology?
Central Penn College is the larger of the two, with about 662 undergraduates against 615 at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
Does Central Penn College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology have a better graduation rate?
Central Penn College has the higher graduation rate, at about 43% against 39% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
Do graduates of Central Penn College or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology earn more?
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $52,374 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,370 for Central Penn College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Central Penn College and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology require SAT or ACT scores?
Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.

Related comparisons

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