Highland Community College

Freeport, IL

Public small campus Rural: Fringe 931 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$5,713per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
5%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
32%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$8,029federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
37%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $8,029. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $93 a month, about $11,187 repaid in total, of which $3,158 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $57 a month — but the total climbs to $17,024, roughly $5,837 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

Highland Community College’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$4,936published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$7,360published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$37,92810 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
Rural: Fringe

Most common fields of study

  • Liberal arts & humanities33%
  • Health professions21%
  • Family & consumer sciences9%
  • Transportation8%
  • Business & marketing5%
  • Precision production5%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NJCAA Division I

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Softball
  • Volleyball

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at Highland Community College. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$93per month

Total repaid
$11,187
Interest paid
$3,158

Longer term — 25 years

$57per month

Total repaid
$17,024
Interest paid
$8,995

Borrow $8,029 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $5,837 more — $17,024 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: Highland Community College.