Cowley College vs. Highland Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Cowley County Community College is larger than Highland Community College based on total student enrollment (2,235 students vs. 2,190 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cowley County Community College is located in Arkansas City, KS (Distant Town setting); Highland Community College is in Highland, KS (Distant Rural setting).
• Cowley County 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: Cowley County Community College 16:1; Highland Community College 13:1.

Cowley College vs. Highland Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cowley 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 Cowley County Community College than Highland Community College ($7,307 vs. $10,353).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cowley County Community College are 26.6% lower than at Highland Community College ($6,600 vs. $8,996).
• Cowley County Community College is 25% more expensive for in-state tuition than Highland Community College (about $1,020 more per year; $5,100.00 vs. $4,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.8% higher at Cowley College than at Highland Community College (about $2,520 more per year; $6,600.00 vs. $4,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cowley County Community College than at Highland Community College (93% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Highland Community College students is 12.2% larger than aid received by Cowley County Community College students ($7,475 vs. $6,665).

Cowley College vs. Highland Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cowley 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 Cowley College.

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

Cowley College vs. Highland Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cowley 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 Cowley County Community College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Highland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,300 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cowley County Community College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Highland Community College graduates ($8,000 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Cowley College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Highland Community College graduates ($82 vs. $98).
• More Highland Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cowley College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 34%)

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.