Parkland College vs. Richland Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Parkland College in Champaign, IL with Richland Community College in Decatur, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Parkland College is larger than Richland Community College based on total student enrollment (6,014 students vs. 2,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Parkland College is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Richland Community College is in Decatur, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Parkland College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Richland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Parkland College 14:1; Richland Community College 15:1.

Parkland College vs. Richland Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Parkland College or Richland 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 Richland Community College than Parkland College ($4,527 vs. $7,681).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Parkland College are 21.8% lower than at Richland Community College ($9,400 vs. $12,020).
• Richland Community College is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkland College (about $1,158 more per year; $10,800.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.7% higher at Richland Community College than at Parkland College (about $3,804 more per year; $17,070.00 vs. $13,266.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Richland Community College than at Parkland College (81% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Parkland College students is 11% larger than aid received by Richland Community College students ($7,244 vs. $6,527).

Parkland College vs. Richland Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Parkland College or Richland 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 Richland Community College and Parkland College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Parkland College - Open admission; Richland Community College - Open admission.

Parkland College vs. Richland Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Parkland College and Richland 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 Parkland College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Richland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,000 vs. $30,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Richland Community College graduates have a $1,238 lower median loan debt than Parkland College graduates ($6,762 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Richland Community College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Parkland College graduates ($69 vs. $82).
• More Richland Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Parkland College students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 32%)

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.