Colby Community College vs. Highland Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby Community College in Colby, KS with Highland Community College in Highland, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Highland Community College is larger than Colby Community College based on total student enrollment (2,190 students vs. 1,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby Community College is located in Colby, KS (Remote Town setting); Highland Community College is in Highland, KS (Distant Rural setting).
• Colby Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Highland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby Community College 18:1; Highland Community College 13:1.

Colby Community College vs. Highland Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby Community College or Highland Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colby Community College than Highland Community College ($9,230 vs. $10,353).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby Community College are 4.8% lower than at Highland Community College ($8,562 vs. $8,996).
• Colby Community College is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Highland Community College (about $210 more per year; $4,290.00 vs. $4,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.9% higher at Colby Community College than at Highland Community College (about $1,750 more per year; $5,830.00 vs. $4,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Highland Community College than at Colby Community College (81% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Highland Community College students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Colby Community College students ($7,475 vs. $6,700).

Colby Community College vs. Highland Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby Community College or Highland Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Highland Community College and Colby Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby Community College - Open admission; Highland Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Highland Community College Aug 20, 2027.

Colby Community College vs. Highland Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby Community College and Highland Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Colby Community College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Highland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby Community College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Highland Community College graduates ($6,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby Community College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Highland Community College graduates ($67 vs. $98).
• More Colby Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Highland Community College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 39%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.