By Rob Hagstrom, assistant director of career and transfer outcomes at  HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, and Roberto Marti, director of career development and transfer services at  HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College

It’s no surprise that people ask questions about the return on investment (ROI) of college, its affordability and the types of jobs and income that graduating students may secure after earning a degree. At HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, we know the investment in a college education is worth it.  

As Pennsylvania’s first and largest community college, we know that cost is a big determining factor for those who may be considering attending college. Our tuition rate remains less than nearby four-year schools to make education more financially manageable and accessible for all students. In fact, when compared to these four-year schools, the school that is closest to HACC’s tuition is actually 20% more expensive. By providing an accessible education at lower rates, HACC enables community members - like you - to pursue higher education without incurring substantial debt. The College also provides many scholarships, free money, to students. And when we say free, we really mean free. 

In addition to scholarships, HACC offers a wide range of financial aid options, including grants and tuition assistance programs. This includes the HACC Foundation, which helps pay for tuition and books and even offers full-ride scholarship opportunities. In fact, 54% of HACC students utilize financial aid options.

Students who may eventually want to earn a bachelor's degree also have access to many transfer opportunities, including dual admission. Plus, HACC has partnerships that offer an opportunity to earn a full-tuition scholarship to Bucknell University or Lebanon Valley College. These resources help make education attainable for many. 

In 2023, 95% of HACC’s graduating students with a job related to their program of study remained in the state of Pennsylvania. This proves that our many career partnerships with local businesses lead to job placement opportunities and internships, which further support students financially while they gain valuable work experience. Our employer partnerships increase students’ overall educational attainment and workforce readiness and contribute to economic development by producing skilled workers who are well equipped to meet the demands of our communities. 

Lastly, HACC's affordability is essential for expanding educational opportunities, promoting economic mobility and fostering community development. By prioritizing affordability and implementing supportive policies and programs, HACC will continue to serve as a vital institution that empowers individuals and its communities through accessible education and workforce development opportunities.

While most colleges will not guarantee a job after the completion of a degree, many institutions monitor career outcomes to track their ROI. A common practice among colleges, including HACC, is administering a first-destination survey to graduating students. 

In HACC’s fall 2023 first-destination survey, we included a new question that asked students how their lives improved thanks to their new credentials. We were #HACCproud to learn that 73% of respondents stated they had a career improvement, including a new job, raise or promotion. HACC yeah!

A recent HACC healthcare management graduate is one such student and said, “My education at HACC is absolutely the reason I was selected for a promotion to an office coordinator position, and I’m now overseeing three offices.”

Additionally, according to a 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, those with an associate degree earned an average of $1,058 per week compared to $899 for workers with only a high school diploma.** That is an additional $159 per week or $8,268 per year. While this increase doesn’t necessarily happen immediately, the Education Data Initiative shows that associate degree earners see returns within 5.4 years of completion, the fastest return across all degree types, and have the highest ROI across all degree types and timeframes.***

As your favorite community college, we will continue to increase students' economic mobility by providing them with access to employment and transfer opportunities that lead them to increase their income, successfully transition to a four-year school and help promote economically stable communities that change lives, destinies and family trees. 

Sources: 
*National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Accessed 5/10/2024. The NACE First-Destination Survey. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org/job-market/graduate-outcomes/first-destination  

**Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, September 6). Employment Projections. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm

***Hanson, Melanie. “College Degree Return on Investment” EducationData.org, November 19, 2021, from https://educationdata.org/college-degree-roi

Photo Caption (Left to Right): Rob Hagstrom is the assistant director of career and transfer outcomes at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, and Roberto Marti is the director of career development and transfer services at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College