Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) vs Bucknell University
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and Bucknell University stand as two distinct educational institutions, each catering to different academic aspirations and student profiles. HACC, a public community college, offers an open-door admissions policy, welcoming a diverse student body and providing affordable tuition. In contrast, Bucknell, a private research university, boasts a highly selective admissions process, attracting high-achieving students and offering a comprehensive liberal arts education. While both institutions offer a range of undergraduate programs, HACC excels in associate degrees and career-oriented programs, while Bucknell shines in bachelor's degrees and pre-professional programs. Explore our detailed comparison table to discover more about the acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates of these two esteemed institutions, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and aspirations.
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          Bucknell University | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Harrisburg Area Community College | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Lewisburg, Pennsylvania | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | 
| Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Small | 
| College type | 4 year | 2 year | 
| Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Semester | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate | 
| Students retention rate | 91.0% | 56.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | No | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 34.5% | Open Admission | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $40
           
          
            Graduate:
            $50
           
                   | 
      |
| SAT range | 1295 - 1450 | N/A | 
| ACT range | 29 - 33 | N/A | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | |
| Students submitting ACT score | 17.0% | |
| Total number of applicants | 11,263 | |
| Total number of admissions given out | 3,886 | |
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,027 | |
| Yield rate | 26.4% | |
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | Not required | 
| High school GPA | Required | N/A | 
| Recommendation letters | Required | N/A | 
| High school transcript | Not required | N/A | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | $77,740 | 
                         
            In state:
            $23,659
           
          
            Out of state:
            $25,182
           
                   | 
  
| Average net price | $38,170 | $12,147 | 
| Tuition | $59,474 | 
                         
            In state:
            $6,795
           
          
            Out of state:
            $8,168
           
                   | 
  
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $9,192
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $5,682
           
                   | 
      |
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          59.0%
        
         Average amount $37,752  | 
      
              
          95.0%
        
         Average amount $4,168  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          32.0%
        
         Average amount $5,232  | 
      
              
          45.0%
        
         Average amount $4,826  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          7.0%
        
         Average amount $23,169  | 
      
              
          3.0%
        
         Average amount $7,267  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          3,724
        
        
           Men 47.1% Women 52.9%  | 
      
              
          14,023
        
        
           Men 32.8% Women 67.2%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          33
        
        
           Men 30.3% Women 69.7%  | 
      N/A | 
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Low 
    
       | 
      
              
           Low 
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | 76.9% | 0.8% | 
| International students | 5.3% | 1.6% | 
| Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Small | 
| Dormitory capacity | 3,394 | N/A | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Connecticut Maryland | Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey Delaware Florida | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 16:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 88.0% | 15.5% | 
| Dropout rate | 0.6% | 50.2% | 
| Transferred out | 11.3% | 19.4% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Legal Support Services (Associate's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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      Common app member