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Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA·Private for-profit·721 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for competitive applicants and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. a private for-profit school with 721 students.

26%
Accept
721
Students
$19,279
Net Price
39%
Grad Rate
$37,700
Earnings
10 yr
$13,035
Debt

About This School

Central Penn College is a private for-profit institution located in Summerdale, Pennsylvania with approximately 721 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 26% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $19,279 per year. The graduation rate is 39%, and the typical graduate earns $37,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Enola, Pennsylvania. Established in 1881, CPC offers associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and a master's degree in Professional Studies. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Central Penn College was originally known as Central Pennsylvania Business School. The school changed its name in 1999 to Central Pennsylvania College and then to Central Penn College in 2010.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 39% graduation rate and 64% freshman retention rate suggest that many students who start don't finish, which is a serious concern worth weighing carefully. On the positive side, debt at graduation is relatively low at $13,035, and the selective 26% acceptance rate hints at a more structured admissions process than typical open-enrollment for-profits. Worth considering if you have a clear career goal tied to one of their specific programs, but do your homework on outcomes for your particular field before committing, since median earnings of $37,700 a decade out leave little margin for error.

Founded
1881
Setting
Large suburb

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing39%
Health Professions36%
Computer Science6%
Communications2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$19,404
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,404
Avg Net Price
$19,279
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants43%
Median debt at graduation$13,035

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
39%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
64%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$37,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$13,035
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$13,035
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$34,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$37,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.9x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White53%
Black17%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (721 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Central Penn College

600 Valley Road

Summerdale, PA 17093-0309

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

Browse all Pennsylvania schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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