Study Finds HACC Contributes $1.2 Billion to Region

HARRISBURG, Pa. – A recent study by Lightcast found that HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, contributes $1.2 billion to the local economy annually through operational and student spending and increased alumni earnings. The study also found that for every dollar a student spends on their education at HACC, they receive nearly $5 in higher future earnings. 

HACC provided enrollment, budget and alumni data from the 2022-23 fiscal year to generate the economic impact study. Additional findings using data from that period include:

• HACC’s day-to-day operations spending added $112.2 million in income to the region.
• HACC alumni generated $1.1 billion in added income to the regional economy.
• One out of every 86 jobs in HACC’s 11-county service region are supported by the activities of the College and its students. 
• HACC’s spending and alumni in the health care and social assistance industry sector supported 3,889 jobs.
• The average HACC associate degree graduate earns $9,100 more each year than a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in Pennsylvania.

"This study reaffirms that HACC brings substantial value to the 11 counties we serve. The College enriches our communities by training and educating skilled workers, boosting graduates' earnings, providing local businesses with talented employees and fostering economic growth. Our graduates not only go on to serve their communities, but they also contribute greatly to our regional economy," said John J. "Ski" Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., president and CEO of HACC. 

For more information, please visit hacc.edu/Impact.

About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 12,000 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on X (@HACC_info), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.