About Highland Community College
Highland Community College is located in a small, rural town in northeast Kansas. It was the first college in Kansas, first known as Highland University, and after several name changes, mergers, and inevitable shifts through the decades, it is now the community college that exists today. HCC's mission is to provide lifelong learning opportunities, contribute to economic development, and enhance the communities they serve.
Highland Community College offers several online programs for those who desire the convenience and flexibility of distance learning. The online associate's degrees are customizable and are offered in the areas of science, arts, business, health and wellness, etc.
Highland Community College virtual features:
- 24/7 Help Desk
- Technology support
- Online advisors
- Transfer guides
Accreditation & Licensing
Highland Community College is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Type:
2-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Postsecondary award, certificate or diploma of at least two but less than four academic yearsReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 3,597 ; Graduate: Not applicablePercent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 32% ; Graduate: Not applicableGraduation Rate:
39%Transfer Rate:
32%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$41,291Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$8,277Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
34%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$5,712Credit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Highland Community College
All Programs
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Affordable tuition is a big reason students choose Highland Community College. Many use it to finish gen-ed credits at lower cost before moving on.
Students also praise the pace. They describe getting classes done at their own speed while working and managing health needs.
That mix of cost and pace helps students protect time and finish sooner. It can be a practical plan for steady progress to graduation.
Help is visible in day-to-day academic support at Highland Community College. Teachers are often described as very helpful, and small class sizes make it easier to ask questions and get direct guidance. That setup gives students more room to get unstuck quickly when coursework gets confusing.
Support also extends beyond the classroom through school counselors and tutors. Many students can find a clear place to go when they need extra help. Experiences are not identical in every class, but the core support network—professors, counselors, and tutoring—shows up as a practical part of how students keep moving.
Highland Community College offers a practical online option. Many students take classes online because it fits real life. The format works well for busy weeks and changing schedules.
Students can keep working while they take classes. It can also help those managing health needs. This makes it easier to keep moving toward a degree.
Pace matters, especially for general education credits. Highland’s online path helps students stay on track without putting work or life on hold.
At Highland Community College, students often have direct access to their professors. Small classes make it easier to ask questions and get help during the term. Many students describe real interaction with instructors, not a distant large-class feel.
Teaching is viewed positively overall, and many students speak highly of their professors. Class difficulty and pace can differ by course and instructor. Even so, close professor support is a clear strength across the college.
Highland Community College is a practical, low-cost choice for many students. Cost is a big reason people pick it. Many students use Highland to complete general education credits and keep moving toward a degree.
Class pace can work well with real life. Online classes help students stay on track while working. They can also help students who need a more flexible routine for health needs.
Support is easy to find in many classes. Students often mention helpful teachers, small class sizes, counselors, and tutors. Course quality can vary, but many classes are strong. Overall, Highland is a good fit for students who want affordable credits, flexible pace, and clear support.
Highland Community College is a practical, low-cost choice for many students. Cost is a big reason people pick it. Many students use Highland to complete general education credits and keep moving toward a degree.
Class pace can work well with real life. Online classes help students stay on track while working. They can also help students who need a more flexible routine for health needs.
Support is easy to find in many classes. Students often mention helpful teachers, small class sizes, counselors, and tutors. Course quality can vary, but many classes are strong. Overall, Highland is a good fit for students who want affordable credits, flexible pace, and clear support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Highland Community College
Is Highland Community College accredited?
Yes. Highland Community College is institutionally accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
How many online programs does Highland Community College offer?
Highland Community College offers 5 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Highland Community College offer?
Highland Community College offers associate-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Highland Community College?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Highland Community College expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Highland Community College falls into GetEducated’s $ tuition tier, which points to a lower tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Highland Community 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 Highland Community 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 Highland Community College military friendly?
Highland Community 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 Highland Community 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 Highland Community 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 Highland Community College accept life experience credit?
Highland Community College accepts life experience credit, but qualifying can be harder than expected and fees may still apply. Check Transfer Options to confirm what applies to your program.
Are Highland Community College programs fully online or mixed?
Highland Community College programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Highland Community College offer?
Highland Community College has online program options in areas such as Art & Liberal Arts, Business, Criminal Justice, Safety & Law, and Healthcare; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Are any admission tests required for Highland Community College programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is ACT/SAT, Placement Test. Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Highland Community College?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any Highland Community 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 Highland Community College?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Highland Community College, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Highland Community 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 Highland Community College program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Highland Community College is featured in 2 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
Highland Community College is located in Kansas
Kansas at a Glance:
Top Majors in Kansas:
Top Incentives in Kansas:
- Kansas Comprehensive Grant: Up to $3,500 annually
- Kansas State Scholarship: Up to $1,000 annually
- Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship: Up to $5,536 annually
Top Career Pathways in Kansas:
- Entry Level: Manufacturing Engineer ($65,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Engineer ($95,000)
- Senior Level: Engineering Director ($150,000+)
- Required Education: BS Aerospace Engineering
- Certifications: PE, PMP, Six Sigma
- Entry Level: Farm Operations Manager ($55,000)
- Mid Level: Agricultural Director ($85,000)
- Senior Level: Agribusiness Executive ($130,000+)
- Required Education: BS Agricultural Science
- Certifications: CCA, CPAg
- Entry Level: IT Analyst ($60,000)
- Mid Level: IT Manager ($95,000)
- Senior Level: IT Director ($140,000+)
- Required Education: BS Information Technology
- Certifications: CISSP, PMP, AWS