Location: Harrisburg, PA•In-State Tuition: $7,373•Out-of-State Tuition: $11,400
Median Earnings (1yr)
$35,284
73rd percentile
60th percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Debt
$17,500
2% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.50 ManageableSample: 29 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Harrisburg Area Community College's software program posts first-year earnings of $35,284—solidly above both the national median ($29,081) and Pennsylvania's state average ($30,478). Among Pennsylvania's 16 similar programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, meaning graduates here typically outearn peers at most other state colleges. The $17,500 debt load sits right at typical levels for this degree, translating to a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio where graduates owe about half their first year's salary.

The caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 recent graduates means these figures could shift significantly year to year. That said, the numbers align with what you'd expect from a community college feeding Pennsylvania's mid-sized tech sector—not Silicon Valley money, but reasonable earnings for an associate's degree that typically takes two years to complete. The program serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (33% of the college), suggesting it provides an accessible path to above-median outcomes.

For families seeking an affordable entry point into tech without committing to a four-year degree, this delivers solid value. Just recognize you're looking at middle-tier earnings in Pennsylvania's tech landscape, not a fast track to the highest-paying positions. The debt burden won't be crushing, and graduates are earning more than the typical associate-level software program produces.

Where Harrisburg Area Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer software and media applications associates's programs nationally

Harrisburg Area Community CollegeOther computer software and media applications programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Harrisburg Area Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Harrisburg Area Community College earns $35k — 73th percentile among computer software and media applications associates programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Computer Software and Media Applications associates's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (16 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg$7,373$35,284—$17,5000.50
Pittsburgh Technical CollegeOakdale$18,980$25,671$26,342$18,3740.72
National Median—$29,081—$17,9370.62

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer software and media applications graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Harrisburg Area Community College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 29 graduates with reported earnings and 37 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.