Highland Community College
Freeport, Illinois
Highland Community College is a public institution in Freeport, Illinois with 926 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $4,696 compared with a Illinois nursing-school average of $17,333. The school reports a graduation rate of 46.0%, median earnings of $37,928, and median federal debt of $8,029.
$4,696 is lower than the state average of $17,333.
46.0% is lower than the state average of 51.1%.
$37,928 is lower than the state average of $46,394.
About Highland Community College
| Location | Freeport, Illinois |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.highland.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $4,696 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $7,120 |
| Total Enrollment | 926 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 46.0% |
| Retention Rate | 69.2% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $37,928 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,029 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $85 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 30.2% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 6.3% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.2 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
30.2% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 6.3% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Highland Community College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $18,784, while the reported median debt is $8,029 with an estimated monthly payment of $85. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (68.6%), followed by Black students (13.3%) and Hispanic students (7.1%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($37,928) divided by median debt ($8,029)