Highland Community College vs. College of Lake County

Comparable Facts

Compare Highland Community College in Freeport, IL with College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Lake County is larger than Highland Community College based on total student enrollment (12,530 students vs. 1,360 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Highland Community College is located in Freeport, IL (Distant Town setting); College of Lake County is in Grayslake, IL (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Highland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. College of Lake County is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Highland Community College 13:1; College of Lake County 16:1.

Highland Community College vs. College of Lake County Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Highland Community College or College of Lake County? 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 Highland Community College than College of Lake County ($5,393 vs. $6,357).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Highland Community College are 64.6% lower than at College of Lake County ($5,950 vs. $16,800).
• College of Lake County is 50.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Highland Community College (about $3,653 more per year; $10,869.00 vs. $7,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.7% higher at College of Lake County than at Highland Community College (about $7,040 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $7,360.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Highland Community College than at College of Lake County (73% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Highland Community College students is 12% larger than aid received by College of Lake County students ($7,127 vs. $6,361).

Highland Community College vs. College of Lake County Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Highland Community College or College of Lake County? 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 College of Lake County and Highland Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Highland Community College - Open admission; College of Lake County - Open admission.

Highland Community College vs. College of Lake County Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Highland Community College and College of Lake County? 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 College of Lake County earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Highland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,800 vs. $30,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Lake County graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Highland Community College graduates ($5,500 vs. $7,500).
• Among borrowers, College of Lake County graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Highland Community College graduates ($56 vs. $77).
• More College of Lake County graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Highland Community College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 41%)

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.