Colleges in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (2 Private for-profit, 2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $14,924 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 53.1%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 83% of applicants.
The median net price in Harrisburg runs about $5,145 lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $20,069.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Harrisburg, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$14,924
After aid
Median grad rate
53.1%
6-year
Median admission rate
83%
Median enrollment
384
Undergrad
All colleges in Harrisburg
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA | PA | Public, 2-year | $14,471 | 20.7% | Not available | 9,533 | Partial | |
| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg, PA | PA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $15,376 | 33.9% | 87% | 615 | Complete | |
| Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg Harrisburg, PA | PA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $17,329 | 72.4% | Not available | 152 | Partial | |
| Barber and Beauty Academy of Pennsylvania Harrisburg, PA | PA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $11,710 | 96.2% | Not available | 47 | Partial | |
| UPMC Shadyside - at UPMC Harrisburg Harrisburg, PA | PA | Private nonprofit, <2-year | Not available | Not available | 78% | Not available | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Harrisburg operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Empire Beauty School-HarrisburgNet price: $17,329Grad: 72.4%
- Barber and Beauty Academy of PennsylvaniaNet price: $11,710Grad: 96.2%
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Harrisburg are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Harrisburg University of Science and TechnologyNet price: $15,376Grad: 33.9%
- UPMC Shadyside - at UPMC HarrisburgNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (1)
Public colleges in Harrisburg are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Harrisburg Area Community CollegeNet price: $14,471Grad: 20.7%
Top programs in Harrisburg
Most-completed programs across Harrisburg colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions37.5% of degrees
- Business12.5% of degrees
- Liberal arts7.7% of degrees
- Computer science6.7% of degrees
- Education3.7% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts3.2% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement3.0% of degrees
- Personal services2.6% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Harrisburg
Q.How many colleges are in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
There are 5 colleges and universities in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private for-profit, 2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Harrisburg?
By undergraduate enrollment, Harrisburg Area Community College is the largest institution in Harrisburg with roughly 9,533 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Harrisburg?
Based on average net price after aid, Barber and Beauty Academy of Pennsylvania is the most affordable institution in Harrisburg at $11,710 per year.
Q.Which Harrisburg college has the highest graduation rate?
Barber and Beauty Academy of Pennsylvania reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Harrisburg institutions at 96.2%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Harrisburg?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in Harrisburg is $14,924 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Harrisburg?
Across Harrisburg colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Harrisburg?
Yes — Harrisburg includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Harrisburg that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.