Highland Community College vs. Joliet Junior College

Comparable Facts

Compare Highland Community College in Freeport, IL with Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Joliet Junior College is larger than Highland Community College based on total student enrollment (14,414 students vs. 1,360 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Highland Community College is located in Freeport, IL (Distant Town setting); Joliet Junior College is in Joliet, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Highland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Joliet Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Highland Community College 13:1; Joliet Junior College 20:1.

Highland Community College vs. Joliet Junior College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Highland Community College or Joliet Junior 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 Joliet Junior College than Highland Community College ($3,090 vs. $5,393).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Highland Community College are 40.3% lower than at Joliet Junior College ($5,950 vs. $9,970).
• Joliet Junior College is 76.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Highland Community College (about $5,534 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $7,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.5% higher at Joliet Junior College than at Highland Community College (about $6,440 more per year; $13,800.00 vs. $7,360.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Highland Community College than at Joliet Junior College (73% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Highland Community College students is 12.9% larger than aid received by Joliet Junior College students ($7,127 vs. $6,311).

Highland Community College vs. Joliet Junior College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Highland Community College or Joliet Junior 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 Joliet Junior College 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; Joliet Junior College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Joliet Junior College Aug 16, 2027.

Highland Community College vs. Joliet Junior College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Highland Community College and Joliet Junior 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 Joliet Junior College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Highland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $30,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Highland Community College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Joliet Junior College graduates ($7,500 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Highland Community College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Joliet Junior College graduates ($77 vs. $82).
• More Highland Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Joliet Junior College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 36%)

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.