1967
Palatine, IL

About Harper College

William Rainey Harper College (known simply as Harper College) is a public, 2-year community college in Palatine, Illinois. Founded in 1967, the school was named after the founder of the school who was also the University of Chicago’s first president. In 1973, the William Rainey Harper Educational Foundation was established through private donations in order to enhance the school’s programs, offering scholarships and special project initiatives. One such initiative was the completion of the Palatine campus between 1975 and 1977. By 2004, Harper College was one of the largest community colleges in the nation. The core values at Harper College are integrity, respect, excellence, and collaboration, and the school’s mission statement is as follows: “Harper College is a comprehensive community college dedicated to providing excellent education at an affordable cost, promoting personal growth, enriching the local community and meeting the challenges of a global society.”

Harper College offers associate’s degrees, technical certifications, 2-year bachelor’s degree preparation courses, online courses, and college credit for high school students. Harper Online provides opportunities for students to earn certificates and degrees online. Online degrees offer flexible scheduling, allowing students to decide the time and location that works best for studying.

Accreditation & Licensing

Harper College is accredited by:

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Type:

2-year, Public

Highest Level Offered:

Associate's degree

Religious Affiliation:

Not applicable

Enrollment:

Undergraduate: 21,901 ; Graduate: Not applicable

Percent of Fully Online Students:

Undergraduate: 23% ; Graduate: Not applicable

Graduation Rate:

46%

Transfer Rate:

18%

Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:

$48,071

Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):

$10,184

Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:

36%

Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:

$4,546

Credit for Military Training:

Yes

Featured Ranking Reports

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Geographic and Educational Overview

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Harper College is located in Illinois

Illinois at a Glance:

State flag of IL
Springfield
12,812,508
57,914 sq mi
12
85
48
$13,500.00

Top Majors in Illinois:

Top Incentives in Illinois:

Top Career Pathways in Illinois:

Financial Analysis
  • Entry Level: Financial Analyst ($65,000)
  • Mid Level: Senior Analyst ($95,000)
  • Senior Level: Finance Director ($150,000+)
  • Required Education: BS Finance
  • Certifications: CFA, FRM
* Data is approximate and may be AI-enhanced

Online Programs offered by Harper College

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All Programs

Business

Accounting Assistant Certificate
Accounting Bookkeeper/Clerk Certificate
Administrative Assistant Certificate
Advanced Accounting Bookkeeper/Clerk Certificate
Associate in Applied Science in Accounting
Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration
CPA Preparation Certificate
Office Assistant Certificate