Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) vs Dickinson College
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and Dickinson College, both located in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. HACC, a public community college, boasts an open admissions policy, making it accessible to a wide range of students. Dickinson, a private liberal arts college, has a more selective admissions process, resulting in a lower acceptance rate. HACC offers a variety of associate degrees and certificates, while Dickinson provides bachelor's degrees in a diverse range of fields. HACC's student body is predominantly local, while Dickinson attracts students from across the country and the world. With different graduation rates, costs, and student life experiences, these institutions cater to different needs and aspirations. Explore the comparison table to discover which college aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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          Dickinson College | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Harrisburg Area Community College | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | 
| Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 92.0% | 56.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | No | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 48.1% | Open Admission | 
| Application fees | $65 | |
| SAT range | N/A | N/A | 
| ACT range | N/A | N/A | 
| Students submitting SAT score | ||
| Students submitting ACT score | ||
| Total number of applicants | 6,366 | |
| Total number of admissions given out | 3,061 | |
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 677 | |
| Yield rate | 22.1% | |
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | Not required | 
| High school GPA | Required | N/A | 
| Recommendation letters | Required | N/A | 
| High school transcript | Required | N/A | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | $77,300 | 
                         
            In state:
            $23,659
           
          
            Out of state:
            $25,182
           
                   | 
  
| Average net price | $20,913 | $12,147 | 
| Tuition | $58,158 | 
                         
            In state:
            $6,795
           
          
            Out of state:
            $8,168
           
                   | 
  
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $7,866
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $7,386
           
                   | 
      |
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          92.0%
        
         Average amount $39,555  | 
      
              
          95.0%
        
         Average amount $4,168  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          41.0%
        
         Average amount $3,696  | 
      
              
          45.0%
        
         Average amount $4,826  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          16.0%
        
         Average amount $9,232  | 
      
              
          3.0%
        
         Average amount $7,267  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          2,180
        
        
           Men 42.1% Women 57.9%  | 
      
              
          14,023
        
        
           Men 32.8% Women 67.2%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          6
        
        
           Men 33.3% Women 66.7%  | 
      N/A | 
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Low 
    
       | 
      
              
           Low 
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | N/A | 0.8% | 
| International students | 12.3% | 1.6% | 
| Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small | 
| Dormitory capacity | 2,118 | N/A | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | 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 | 82.4% | 15.5% | 
| Dropout rate | 17.6% | 50.2% | 
| Transferred out | N/A | 19.4% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  History (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Natural Resources Conservation and Research (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