Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$13,433Annual Cost
$35,714Grad Salary
32.9%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$5,063
Need-Based Aid
32.9% receive Pell
Henderson Community College, founded in 1960, serves Kentucky's western region from its 170-acre campus overlooking the Ohio River. The college features advanced manufacturing labs, health sciences simulation centers, and a fine arts gallery. HCC specializes in Industrial Maintenance, Nursing, and Visual Arts programs with transfer pathways to Kentucky universities. The college maintains partnerships with regional employers like Gibbs Die Casting and Methodist Health.
HCC is unranked nationally but plays a vital role in the region's workforce development, with 85% of career technical graduates employed locally. The college serves about 1,500 students annually through both technical and transfer programs. Unique aspects include an Artists in Residence program and riverfront location providing inspiration for creative programs. Henderson's location offers both small-town charm and proximity to Evansville's urban resources.
Henderson Community College Acceptance Rate
Henderson Community 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.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Henderson Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Henderson 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
Henderson 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 Henderson Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Henderson Community College's verified institutional data
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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.
Henderson Community College Test Requirements
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 2026 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.
Can I Get Into Henderson Community College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Henderson Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Henderson Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Henderson Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Treat the ADN application as a separate, points-based competition from general admission
General admission to HCC is open - but the Associate Degree Nursing program runs on a competitive point-scale system, not a simple "meets minimums" gate. Points come from your best of ACT, TEAS, or HESI A2 (taken within 5 years) plus GPA plus grades in BIO 137, BIO 139, BIO 225, and MAT 150, plus 5 bonus points for completing 12 graded college hours. Coach the student to take whichever of the three tests (ACT/TEAS/HESI A2) plays to their strengths and to retake it if the first score is mediocre - since HCC awards points off the highest score submitted, a second attempt at HESI A2 is often the single highest-leverage move available.
Front-load the four killer prerequisite courses before applying, not after
A "C" or higher in BIO 137, BIO 139, BIO 225, and MAT 150 is a hard floor - earning below a C in any of them effectively disqualifies the application regardless of test scores. Advise students to take these specific four courses first (at HCC or transfer them in) and treat them as the actual admissions gate, since general open-admission enrollment gives false confidence that "getting in" to HCC equals getting into the nursing program.
Attend the Pre-Admission Conference (in-person or the online version) inside the 2-year window
HCC requires attendance at a Pre-Admission Conference completed within the last 2 years before the application can even be processed - students who let this lapse or skip it are administratively ineligible no matter how strong their transcript is. The online version requires watching the full informational webinar and then personally emailing Dana Walker (dana.walker@kctcs.edu) to request the application packet, which also starts the clock on the March 1 (Fall) / July 1 (Spring) submission deadline.
Bank the "successful completion" limit - you only get two tries at HCC's nursing program, ever
Students who are admitted or readmitted to the HCC nursing program twice become permanently ineligible to reapply. Counsel any student who withdraws or earns a D/E/F/W in a nursing course to treat their second attempt as final, and to proactively line up the required two letters of support from nursing faculty if a prior unsuccessful attempt happened elsewhere, since this documentation requirement is easy to overlook until it blocks a resubmission.
Expert Insight:
The single most common failure pattern here isn't the general application - it's students (and even parents) assuming HCC's 100% open admission rate applies to the nursing program too, then missing the March 1/July 1 nursing-specific deadline or the mandatory Pre-Admission Conference entirely, only to find out the college itself can't do anything once that window closes for the cycle.
Henderson Community College Profile
Full Name
Henderson Community College
City
Henderson
State
Kentucky
ZIP Code
42420-4699
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Henderson Community College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Henderson Community College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Henderson Community College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Henderson Community College is $49,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.47%.
How much does a degree from Henderson Community College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Henderson Community College is $13,433. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Henderson Community College is $5,063.
32.9% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 13.2 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Henderson Community College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Henderson Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Henderson Community College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Henderson Community College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $35,714. An average Henderson Community 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 $40,595.
Degree Programs at Henderson Community College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Henderson Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Henderson Community College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $35,714 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $13,433 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
32.9% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
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.
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.