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, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Associate's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 22,904 ; Graduate: Not applicablePercent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 19% ; Graduate: Not applicableGraduation Rate:
48%Transfer Rate:
17%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$48,071Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$10,184Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
32%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$5,028Credit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Harper College
All Programs
Business
Harper College gives budget-minded students a practical path to a college credential. The school is known for helping keep college costs manageable. It also offers many classes and programs, so students can build a term-by-term plan that fits their goals.
Workload can vary by course. Some classes feel lighter, while others are more demanding than expected. Even with that mix, Harper’s low cost and wide course options make it a solid choice for students who want to keep moving and finish without high tuition.
At Harper College, help is part of daily student life. Staff are often friendly and ready to help with school needs. Professors are also easy to reach outside class. Many students can connect with a real person when they need direction.
Support can be less steady when a process needs formal follow-through. Some students have faced problems with promised accommodation steps or career placement steps. Even so, the school offers strong day-to-day support, and many students find people who care and respond.
Harper College offers online learners solid academic structure. There are many classes and program paths. The school also provides tutoring and library support. That helps when classes get harder.
Instructors are available outside class and give useful feedback. That matters in online classes. It supports steady pace and clearer progress. Course difficulty can vary by class, so the workload feel is not always the same.
Harper College offers practical classes that keep many students engaged. Professors are often caring, and their feedback is useful. In strong classes, instructors push students to do better without feeling harsh.
The college has many programs and class options, plus learning support for daily work. Class pace and difficulty can vary across subjects. Some classes may feel easy, while others feel more demanding.
Even with that mix, Harper remains a broad and affordable community college choice. Students can find active teaching, solid support, and clear paths to keep moving forward.
Harper College is a strong community college with a lot to offer. Cost is a real plus. The school helps students keep college costs in reach. It also offers many classes and programs, so students can choose a path that matches their goals.
Support is another strength. Staff are helpful when problems come up. Professors are easy to reach outside class and give useful feedback. The library and tutoring center give practical help for daily coursework.
Class experience can vary by course. Some classes feel easier, while others are more demanding. Even with that mix, Harper gives many students affordable options, steady support, and clear paths toward graduation and career goals.
Harper College is a strong community college with a lot to offer. Cost is a real plus. The school helps students keep college costs in reach. It also offers many classes and programs, so students can choose a path that matches their goals.
Support is another strength. Staff are helpful when problems come up. Professors are easy to reach outside class and give useful feedback. The library and tutoring center give practical help for daily coursework.
Class experience can vary by course. Some classes feel easier, while others are more demanding. Even with that mix, Harper gives many students affordable options, steady support, and clear paths toward graduation and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harper College
Is Harper College accredited?
Yes. Harper College is institutionally accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
How many online programs does Harper College offer?
Harper College offers 8 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Harper College offer?
Harper College offers associate-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Harper College?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Harper College expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Harper College falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Harper College?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Harper College first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
Is Harper College military friendly?
Harper College does not show Yellow Ribbon support. If military benefits matter for your plan, check current military options before you apply.
How can students request information from Harper College through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Harper College applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official High School Transcript/GED Score and Official College Transcript(s). Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Harper College accept life experience credit?
Harper College does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Harper College programs fully online or mixed?
Harper College programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
Are any admission tests required for Harper College programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is Placement Test. Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Harper College?
Some programs show different in-state and out-of-state tuition totals, so check your specific program cost.
Do any Harper College programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Harper College?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Harper College, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Harper College programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Harper College program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
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Geographic and Educational Overview
Harper College is located in Illinois
Illinois at a Glance:
Top Majors in Illinois:
Top Incentives in Illinois:
- Monetary Award Program (MAP): Up to $5,340 annually
Top Career Pathways in Illinois:
- 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