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Harrisburg University vs. Goldey-Beacom College: Which Program Is Right for You?

Abby
by Abby
3 min read
7/28/2025

If you're an international student on OPT, or working professionals on L1L2, H1B are looking to pursue a hybrid professional program in the U.S. with Day 1 CPT eligibility, two strong contenders are Harrisburg University and Goldey-Beacom College. Both institutions offer professional programs with Day 1 CPT options, but they differ in terms of location convenience, tuition cost, program offerings, and CPT policies.

In this guide, we'll break down these differences to help you make the best decision for choosing the best university 

Table of Contents

  1. Location & Accessibility
  2. Tuition Comparison
  3. Program Offerings
  4. CPT Policy
  5. Comparison Table
Harrisburg University vs. Goldey-Beacom College

 

1. Location & Accessibility

Harrisburg University (Pennsylvania)

Located in downtown Harrisburg, PA, this campus is highly accessible via multiple public transit options:

  • Rabbit Transit (Route 83N) connects York and Harrisburg, with stops near the university and Amtrak station.

  • Capital Area Transit (CAT) buses serve the general Harrisburg region including downtown.

  • Uber Voucher Program subsidizes rides for students commuting to school, internships, or appointments.

  • Amtrak Station nearby allows easy travel to/from other cities in the region.

Goldey-Beacom College (Delaware)

Situated in Wilmington, DE, the college offers solid transit options from neighboring states:

  • DART First State Route 18-R1 bus directly connects the campus and the Wilmington train station (around 35 minutes ride).

  • Amtrak, Greyhound, and Peter Pan buses stop at the Wilmington hub.

  • SEPTA regional rail connects to Philadelphia and surrounding cities.

  • DART buses cost just $2 per ride and support mobile ticketing and accessibility needs.

Verdict: Both universities are easily reachable for students from the Greater New York area, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Be sure to research your nearby transportation situation and decide which university works the best for your location-wise.

 
 

2. Tuition Comparison

Harrisburg University

  • $955 per credit hour

  • ~$5,730 per semester (6 credits)

  • ~$17,190 per year (3 semesters)

  • Total Program Cost (2 years): $34,380

Goldey-Beacom College

  • $610 per credit hour

  • ~$3,660 per semester (6 credits)

  • ~$10,980 per year (3 semesters)

  • Total Program Cost (2 years): $21,960

  • Offers payment plans to reduce financial pressure 

Verdict: Goldey-Beacom College is significantly more affordable in terms of costs.

 

3. Program Offerings

Harrisburg University

Known for its wide variety of graduate programs across STEM and business fields:

  • MS Analytics (Healthcare, Pharma, Individualized)

  • MS Biotechnology (Medical, Biomanufacturing, Business)

  • MS Computer Information Sciences (Cyber Security, Software Engineering)

  • MS Information Systems, Human-Centered Design, Project Management

  • MS Techpreneurship

  • MS Cybersecurity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Learning Technologies

Strength: Broad academic options suited for professionals in tech, healthcare, engineering, or entrepreneurship.

Goldey-Beacom College

Focused primarily on business-oriented degrees:

  • MBA Programs with multiple concentrations:

    • Analytics(STEM), Finance, Marketing, IT, HR, Healthcare, Taxation

  • MS Finance, MS Management, and MS Taxation

Strength: Best suited for students with business, finance, or management backgrounds.

Verdict: Choose Harrisburg for STEM diversity; choose Goldey-Beacom for business specialization.

 

4. CPT Policy

Both universities offer CPT from Day 1, which only needs to be renewed on a yearly basis.

Harrisburg University

  • CPT is integral to all eligible programs.

  • Authorized for 2 full years without gaps or breaks.

  • Ideal for those who already have a job— If you don't have a job, book a consultation with us! We will figure out a way to help you enroll.

Goldey-Beacom College

  • CPT is not mandatory—you can enroll even if you don’t have a job yet.

  • CPT must be renewed annually, offering flexibility as your plans evolve.

Verdict: Both universities have favorable Day 1 CPT policy. Harrisburg is great if you plan to work immediately. Goldey-Beacom is more flexible if you're job-hunting.

 

5. Comparison Table

 

Harrisburg University

Goldey-Beacom College

Accreditation

Location

Harrisburg, PA / Philadelphia, PA
Wilmington, DE

Tuition

~$16,000/year
~$11,000/year

Payment plan

N/A
Yes

Programs

MS Analytics
  • Healthcare Informatics
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Individualized
MS Biotechnology
  • Biomanufacturing
  • Biotechnology Business and Management
  • Medical Biotechnology
  • Individualized
MS Computer Information Sciences
  • Cyber Security
  • Scientific Computing
  • Software Engineering and Software Testing
MS Cybersecurity Operations and Control Management
  • Cyber Security and Warfare

MS Healthcare Informatics
  • Individualized

MS Human-Centered Interaction Design
  • Individualized

MS Information Systems Engineering & Management
  • Artificial Intelligence for Business
  • Individualized
MS Learning Technologies & Media Systems
  • Individualized

MS Pharmaceutical Sciences
MS Project Management
  • Agile Lean
  • Biotechnology
  • Human-Centered Interaction Design
  • Cybersecurity
  • Healthcare Informatics
  • Individualized
MS Techpreneurship
  • Individualized

MBA Programs with multiple concentrations:
  • Analytics(STEM), Finance, Marketing, IT, HR, Healthcare, Taxation

MS Finance, MS Management, and MS Taxation

On-site frequency

2/semester
2/semester

CPT Renewal

1/year
1/year

CPT Policy

Mandatory
Optional

Accept Change of Status?

Yes
 
No

 

6. Conclusion: Which School Should You Choose?

  • Choose Harrisburg University if:

    • You want a STEM program or healthcare/pharmaceutical track;

    • You already have a job or want job-integrated learning;

    • You're okay with slightly higher tuition for a broader program scope.

  • Choose Goldey-Beacom College if:

    • You have a background specifically in business or finance;

    • Budget is a priority—lower tuition and payment plans are available;

    • You want a low residency option;

    • You're still looking for a job but want to start school now. 

Contact us today to schedule a 1-on-1 consultation!

 

🌟 Book a free Day 1 CPT consultation with our team. We're here to help!

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