Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Freeport, Illinois
Highland Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$12,397Annual Cost
$37,928Grad Salary
30.2%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$5,359
Need-Based Aid
30.2% receive Pell
Highland Community College, established in 1858 as Highland University, is Kansas's oldest operating college. The 120-acre campus features agricultural science facilities, a fine arts center, and the Klinefelter Farm for hands-on learning. HCC specializes in Agriculture, Nursing, and Renewable Energy programs with strong transfer pathways. The college maintains partnerships with regional employers in agriculture and healthcare.
HCC is unranked nationally but plays a vital role in northeast Kansas's educational access. The college serves about 2,000 students annually with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Unique offerings include an Agricultural Power Technology program and the only community college wind turbine in Kansas. The rural location provides authentic agricultural learning experiences.
Highland Community College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Highland Community College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Highland Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Highland Community College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Highland Community College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Highland Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Highland Community College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Highland Community College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Highland Community College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Highland Community College Without SAT or ACT?
Highland Community College's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Highland Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Highland Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Target the International Preservation Studies Center
This center trains students in the conservation of artifacts and museum collections - a niche specialty rarely offered at a small rural community college. Ask specifically about coursework and any partnerships with museums or archives.
Use On-Campus Apartment Housing as a Differentiator
Highland is one of the few Illinois community colleges to offer residential facilities. Confirm current housing availability, since this is a structural rarity in the state's community college system.
Leverage Strong Articulation Agreements for Transfer
Students and reviewers specifically note ease of transferring credits to four-year universities as a genuine strength. Ask an advisor about specific articulation agreements tied to the intended four-year institution rather than assuming generic transfer credit applies.
Confirm Current Nursing Program Consistency Directly
While nursing is popular, some student feedback notes inconsistencies in certain areas of the program. Ask specific questions about current faculty stability and clinical placement structure rather than relying solely on general program marketing.
Expert Insight:
Do not confuse this institution with Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas - a separate community college with a similar name in a different state. Confirm every document and application specifically references Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois.
Highland Community College Profile
Full Name
Highland Community College
City
Freeport
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
61032-9341
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Highland Community College Degree Worth It?
Whether Highland Community College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $54,800, and graduates see a 4.03% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Highland Community College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $12,397/year at Highland Community College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $5,359.
At Highland Community College, 30.2% receive a Pell Grant and 6.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Highland Community College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Highland Community College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Highland Community College graduates report a median income of $37,928, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Highland Community College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Highland Community College Admissions
Highland Community College graduates earn a lower median salary of $37,928/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Highland Community College is relatively affordable, around $12,397/year.
30.2% of Highland Community College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Highland Community College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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