Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) vs Villanova University
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and Villanova University stand as distinct institutions of higher learning, 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 rates. In contrast, Villanova, a private research university, boasts a highly selective admissions process, resulting in a smaller and more academically accomplished student population. While HACC excels in associate's degrees and career-oriented programs, Villanova shines in bachelor's and master's degrees, with a focus on liberal arts and professional fields. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes, to help you make an informed decision about your educational journey.
  | 
       | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Harrisburg Area Community College | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Villanova University | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Villanova, Pennsylvania | 
| Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large | 
| College type | 2 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Semester | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 56.0% | 96.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      No | Yes | 
| Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 25.2% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $80
           
          
            Graduate:
            $50
           
                   | 
  |
| SAT range | N/A | 1350 - 1490 | 
| ACT range | N/A | 31 - 34 | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 28.0% | |
| Students submitting ACT score | 17.0% | |
| Total number of applicants | 24,410 | |
| Total number of admissions given out | 6,162 | |
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,772 | |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | |
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | N/A | 
| High school GPA | N/A | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | N/A | Required | 
| High school transcript | N/A | Not required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | 
                         
            In state:
            $23,659
           
          
            Out of state:
            $25,182
           
                   | 
      $77,806 | 
| Average net price | $12,147 | $33,123 | 
| Tuition | 
                         
            In state:
            $6,795
           
          
            Out of state:
            $8,168
           
                   | 
      $58,290 | 
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $8,236
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $7,150
           
                   | 
  |
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          95.0%
        
         Average amount $4,168  | 
      
              
          52.0%
        
         Average amount $43,106  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          45.0%
        
         Average amount $4,826  | 
      
              
          34.0%
        
         Average amount $5,267  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          3.0%
        
         Average amount $7,267  | 
      
              
          7.0%
        
         Average amount $29,933  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          14,023
        
        
           Men 32.8% Women 67.2%  | 
      
              
          7,032
        
        
           Men 45.6% Women 54.4%  | 
  
| Graduate students | N/A | 
              
          3,838
        
        
           Men 46.6% Women 53.4%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Low 
    
       | 
      
              
           Low 
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | 0.8% | 80.7% | 
| International students | 1.6% | 3.6% | 
| Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large | 
| Dormitory capacity | N/A | 5,400 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey Delaware Florida | New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 11:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 15.5% | 91.3% | 
| Dropout rate | 50.2% | 1.5% | 
| Transferred out | 19.4% | 7.2% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  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)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Taxation (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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      Common app member