William Rainey Harper College
About William Rainey Harper College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Harper College teaches in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and is named for the University of Chicago president who invented the idea of the junior college. It is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and the sciences and nursing are its largest programs.
Founded
1965
Location
Palatine, Illinois
Students
9,313
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
47.6%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$3,894
Out-of-state: $11,874
Avg Net Price
$11,607
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$48,071
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
$25
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
47.6% complete their degree within three years
Retention
77.3%
Transfer Out
18%
Teaching Quality
20:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
35.5%
$/Student
$7.8K
Class Size
Large
While 47.6% finish in 4 years, 77.3% of freshmen do return for sophomore year. Many students here may take a bit longer, but they stick with it.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$3,894
In-State
$11,874
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,100
Total Cost of Attendance
$19,288
After Financial Aid
$11,607
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$9,446
Receive Grants
19.7%
Take Loans
2%
Tuition is $3,894/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $11,607.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at William Rainey Harper College fund their education.
While in School
19.7%
Get Grants
Free money
2%
Take Loans
Must repay
$25,797
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$10,184
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$108/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $10,184, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends William Rainey Harper College.
Gender
56.3%
Female
44%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
9,313
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
47.2%
First-Gen
23 yrs
Avg Age
29.5%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 56% of the student body. 47.2% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
9,313
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
William Rainey Harper College fields 8 varsity teams with 235 student athletes, about 3% of the student body.
Division
NJCAA
Division III
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
8
Biggest: Soccer
Student Athletes
235
3% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
65% / 35%
153
Men
82
Women
6
Men's Teams
6
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of William Rainey Harper Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$48,071
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$28K
1093 grads
1yr Earnings
Biological and Physical Sciences
$27K
440 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$71K
82 grads
1yr Earnings
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
$65K
55 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$60K
47 grads
1yr Earnings
Engineering, General
$76K
44 grads
4yr Earnings
Graduates earn about $40K six years out, growing to $48K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William Rainey Harper College
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.