Harold Washington College serves Chicago's Loop from its 11-story vertical campus in the heart of downtown. Established in 1988 and named after Chicago's first African American mayor, HWC offers 50+ degree and certificate programs to over 10,000 students annually. The campus features the 'Library and Learning Center,' the 'Student Success Center,' and the 'Culinary and Hospitality Center' with professional kitchens.
HWC excels in business, criminal justice, and hospitality programs that leverage its downtown location. The college's 'Loop Ed' program provides corporate training for Chicago businesses. HWC maintains strong transfer pathways through the 'Star Scholarship' program offering free tuition. The college's 'Center for Diversity and Inclusion' hosts cultural programming reflecting Chicago's diversity. HWC's commitment to urban education includes evening/weekend classes and 'Fast Track' degree options for working adults.
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Acceptance Rate
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Admission Requirements
Admission Chance Predictor
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City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Profile
Name: City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College
City: Chicago
State: Illinois
Type: Public
Zip: 60601-2449
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
How much does a degree from City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College is USD: 9996. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College is USD: 2974
How can I get a scholarship?
34.79% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 2.12 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College as your choice in the form.
How much a City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 36531. An average City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Degree Programs
Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
Associate Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
- Engineering, General
- Fine and Studio Arts
Frequently Asked Questions About City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $36531 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
Question: What is the tuition fee?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $9996 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship ?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are lower, 50% or less. It's important to apply early and showcase a strong academic profile.
Question: Is it possible to transfer from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting Admissions?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.