Highland Community College vs. Independence Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Highland Community College is larger than Independence Community College based on total student enrollment (2,190 students vs. 764 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Highland Community College is located in Highland, KS (Distant Rural setting); Independence Community College is in Independence, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Highland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Independence Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Highland Community College 13:1; Independence Community College 16:1.

Highland Community College vs. Independence Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Highland Community College or Independence 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 Independence Community College than Highland Community College ($3,738 vs. $10,353).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Independence Community College are 20% lower than at Highland Community College ($7,200 vs. $8,996).
• Independence Community College is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Highland Community College (about $660 more per year; $4,740.00 vs. $4,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at Independence Community College than at Highland Community College (about $870 more per year; $4,950.00 vs. $4,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Independence Community College than at Highland Community College (90% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Independence Community College students is 1% larger than aid received by Highland Community College students ($7,549 vs. $7,475).

Highland Community College vs. Independence Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Highland Community College or Independence 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 Independence Community 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; Independence Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Highland Community College Aug 20, 2027.

Highland Community College vs. Independence Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Highland Community College and Independence 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 Highland Community College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Independence Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,300 vs. $29,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Independence Community College graduates have a $4,303 lower median loan debt than Highland Community College graduates ($5,197 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Independence Community College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Highland Community College graduates ($53 vs. $98).
• More Highland Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Independence Community College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 37%)

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.