Eric D. Darr, PH.D. - Harrisburg University of Science and Technology President | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Eric D. Darr, PH.D. - Harrisburg University of Science and Technology President | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Of the five institutions in the county, two provided detailed enrollment data at the time, including Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
At least 11,085 people applied to Dauphin County colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 20,431 students enrolled in the universities, including 17,489 in undergraduate and 2,942 in graduate programs. In total 5.4% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (59%) and Hispanic (11.5%) students.
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, Harrisburg Area Community College stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 12,576 students.
U.S. college enrollment has been in a downward trend since peaking at around 18.1 million students in 2010. Recent increases offered some relief, but experts project a steeper decline in 2025.
This decline is likely due to two main factors. First, the pool of young adults is shrinking as birth rates have fallen nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. Second, the rising cost of higher education, including skyrocketing student loan debt. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report shows that more than half of Americans think a four-year degree is not worth the cost.
Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals which do not equal 100%.
| Institution | # of Applicants | # of Admitted Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | 1,160 | 974 | 3,082 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | -- | -- | 12,576 |
| Barber and Beauty Academy of Pennsylvania | -- | -- | 63 |
| Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg | -- | -- | 138 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | 9,925 | 9,528 | 4,572 |
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