Highland Community College vs. Salina Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Highland Community College is larger than Salina Tech based on total student enrollment (2,190 students vs. 1,016 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Highland Community College is located in Highland, KS (Distant Rural setting); Salina Area Technical College is in Salina, KS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Highland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Salina Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Highland Community College 13:1; Salina Area Technical College 8:1.

Highland Community College vs. Salina Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Highland Community College or Salina 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 Salina Area Technical College than Highland Community College ($6,482 vs. $10,353).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salina Area Technical College are 29.9% lower than at Highland Community College ($6,309 vs. $8,996).
• Salina Area Technical College is 74.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Highland Community College (about $3,048 more per year; $7,128.00 vs. $4,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.7% higher at Salina Tech than at Highland Community College (about $3,048 more per year; $7,128.00 vs. $4,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Highland Community College than at Salina Area Technical College (81% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salina Area Technical College students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Highland Community College students ($8,815 vs. $7,475).

Highland Community College vs. Salina Tech Admissions comparison

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

Highland Community College vs. Salina Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Highland Community College and Salina 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 Salina Area Technical College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Highland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salina Area Technical College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Highland Community College graduates ($5,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Salina Tech graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Highland Community College graduates ($56 vs. $98).
• More Salina Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Highland Community College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.