Northampton Community College vs. Pennsylvania Highlands

Comparable Facts

Compare Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem, PA with Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in Johnstown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northampton County Area Community College is larger than Pennsylvania Highlands based on total student enrollment (8,810 students vs. 2,501 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northampton County Area Community College is located in Bethlehem, PA (Large Suburban setting); Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is in Johnstown, PA (Small Suburban setting).
• Northampton County Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northampton County Area Community College 19:1; Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 16:1.

Northampton Community College vs. Pennsylvania Highlands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northampton Community College or Pennsylvania Highlands? 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 Pennsylvania Highlands Community College than Northampton Community College ($5,519 vs. $11,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College are 47.1% lower than at Northampton County Area Community College ($5,700 vs. $10,770).
• Northampton County Area Community College is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pennsylvania Highlands (about $1,830 more per year; $11,370.00 vs. $9,540.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.4% higher at Northampton Community College than at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (about $1,920 more per year; $15,270.00 vs. $13,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College than at Northampton County Area Community College (75% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College students is 4% larger than aid received by Northampton County Area Community College students ($6,791 vs. $6,528).

Northampton Community College vs. Pennsylvania Highlands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northampton Community College or Pennsylvania Highlands? 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 Pennsylvania Highlands and Northampton Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northampton Community College - Open admission; Pennsylvania Highlands - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northampton Community College Sep 4, 2026.

Northampton Community College vs. Pennsylvania Highlands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northampton Community College and Pennsylvania Highlands? 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 Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Pennsylvania Highlands graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,300 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduates have a $4,932 lower median loan debt than Northampton Community College graduates ($8,068 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Pennsylvania Highlands graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northampton Community College graduates ($83 vs. $134).
• More Pennsylvania Highlands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northampton Community College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 44%)

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.