City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College

Overview

City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College (HWC) is a public institution located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, offering a range of associate degree and certificate programs. With its urban campus setting, HWC provides students the opportunity to experience a vibrant city atmosphere alongside their academic pursuits. Founded in 1962 and named after Chicago?s first African American mayor, this college is part of the City Colleges of Chicago system, which is the largest community college system in Illinois. Harold Washington College is distinctive for its business and professional services programs, with a focus on degrees in accounting, business, and computer information systems among others. While the college does not have on-campus housing, it serves a large commuter population. Admissions at HWC maintain an open-access policy, allowing greater opportunities for diverse student demographics seeking higher education. Notably, Harold Washington College is not recognized for an athletics program but prioritizes academic and professional development within the urban context of downtown Chicago.

City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College has an open admission policy which permits enrollment by any high school graduate or GED holding student.  1,978 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 3,581 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $11,520 plus fees of $0.