Highland Community College vs. Northwest Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Highland Community College in Highland, KS with Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Highland Community College is larger than Northwest Tech based on total student enrollment (2,190 students vs. 752 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Highland Community College is located in Highland, KS (Distant Rural setting); Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College is in Goodland, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Highland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Highland Community College 13:1; Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College 12:1.

Highland Community College vs. Northwest Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Highland Community College or Northwest Tech? 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 Northwest Tech ($10,353 vs. $12,872).
• In-state tuition differs between Highland Community College and Northwest Tech ($4,080.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Highland Community College and Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College ($4,080.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Highland Community College than at Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College (81% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College students is 9.4% larger than aid received by Highland Community College students ($8,178 vs. $7,475).

Highland Community College vs. Northwest Tech Admissions comparison

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

Highland Community College vs. Northwest Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Highland Community College and Northwest Tech? 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 Fort Hays State University Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Highland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,200 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Highland Community College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Northwest Tech graduates ($9,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Highland Community College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Tech graduates ($98 vs. $124).
• More Northwest Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Highland Community College students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.