Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Big Spring, Texas
Howard College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,227Annual Cost
$38,382Grad Salary
19.3%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
$7,681
Need-Based Aid
19.3% receive Pell
Howard College, founded in 1945 in Texas, offers programs in petroleum technology, healthcare, and equine studies. The campus features a rodeo complex.
Howard is unranked but vital to West Texas' energy and agriculture sectors. Its rural location supports hands-on career training.
Howard College Acceptance Rate
Howard College (Howard County Junior College) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Howard College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Howard 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
Howard County Junior 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority: 2026/03/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum 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 Howard County Junior College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Howard 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.
Howard College (Howard County Junior College) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Howard County Junior College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Howard County Junior College Without SAT or ACT?
Howard County Junior 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 Howard County Junior College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Howard County Junior College is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Gather SWCID's Specialized Documentation Early
The SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf requires an audiogram from deaf/hard-of-hearing applicants, in addition to standard high school transcript and TSI placement requirements. Gather this documentation early - it's not part of Howard College's general admission process for hearing students.
Recognize SWCID as a Genuinely Distinctive, Self-Contained ASL-Instruction Environment
This is one of very few community college programs in the country designed specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, with instruction conducted in American Sign Language and purpose-built residential facilities. Ask specifically about the balance of academic/technical coursework versus deaf studies and independent-living preparation, since this differs structurally from being mainstreamed into a general hearing student population.
Confirm the Correct TSI Testing Pathway Directly
Howard College accepts several specific TSI-approved assessments (Quick THEA, Accuplacer, ASSET), and non-native English speakers face additional testing (Compass Test, Lindholm Test). Confirm which specific test option applies rather than assuming one standard test applies to everyone.
Leverage Cosmetology's Active Student Community
Howard College supports multiple student organizations specifically for cosmetology students, reflecting the program's prominence on campus. Ask about these organizations' role in networking, competitions, or job placement - an active professional community beyond the classroom.
Expert Insight:
SWCID's identity as a specialized, self-contained deaf education environment means its admission process, campus culture, and support services differ meaningfully from Howard College's general hearing-student population. Confirm which specific track (general Howard College vs. SWCID) is being evaluated, since materials for one may not apply to the other despite being part of the same institution.
Howard County Junior College Profile
Full Name
Howard College (Howard County Junior College)
City
Big Spring
State
Texas
ZIP Code
79720
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Howard County Junior College Degree Worth It?
At $14,227/year against a $38,382 median graduate salary, Howard County Junior College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $45,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.69%.
How much does a degree from Howard County Junior College Cost?
The sticker price is $14,227/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $7,681.
19.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 9.5% take federal loans at Howard County Junior College — file your FAFSA early and list Howard County Junior College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Howard County Junior College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $38,382 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Howard County Junior College
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Howard County Junior College Admissions
Median earnings for Howard College graduates sit around $38,382 a year.
At about $14,227 a year, Howard College is on the more affordable end.
Howard College's Pell Grant rate of 19.3% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Howard College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority: 2026/03/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.