What programs and credential levels does Highland Community College offer?

The school offers undergraduate certificates and associate degrees in cosmetology, vehicle maintenance, precision metal working, ground transportation, and allied health. It lists over 44 programs in total, covering various trade areas beyond the specific ones listed.

How much do graduates typically earn in these trade programs?

Data from the U.S. Department of Education reports a median earnings figure of $37,928 for graduates ten years after entering these programs.

What is the completion rate at this school?

The reported completion rate is 36.6%. This figure reflects students who finish within the tracking period and does not necessarily include those who transfer to four-year institutions.

Is Highland Community College public or private?

It is a public school located in Freeport, IL.

How does typical student debt compare to the cost of attending?

The median student debt at completion is $8,029. This is a one-time obligation, whereas the average annual net price is $5,713, meaning the debt covers less than two years of the typical yearly cost after aid.

Home › Illinois › Welding schools › Highland Community College

Highland Community College

Freeport, Illinois · public · mainly awards certificates · 931 students · WeldingMachining & CNCCDL & Truck DrivingDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation MaintenanceMedical AssistingPractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)CosmetologyBarberingEMT & ParamedicRadiologic Technology

Avg net price / yr

$5,713

cheaper than 74% of comparable schools

Completion rate

36.6%

Median debt at completion

$8,029

Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)

$37,928

earns ~$6,638.9 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Highland Community College is a public school in Freeport, IL offering certificates and associate degrees in trades like automotive repair, cosmetology, and metal working. With an average annual net price of $5,713, it serves students seeking hands-on training in these fields.

What to know

About 36.6% of students complete a program, a standard metric for community colleges where transfer students are often excluded from these specific figures. Graduates in reported programs see typical median earnings of $37,928 ten years after entry. Students leaving with a degree often carry $8,029 in debt, which is less than two years of their reported annual net price.

Net price is 11% below the Illinois median ($6,426) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 1% below the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

See what aid you may qualify for

31.6% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in Illinois.

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Programs & what graduates earn

Program	Credential	Median earnings 2 yrs after completion
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians	associate degree	not reported
Precision Metal Working	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Precision Metal Working	associate degree	not reported
Ground Transportation	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services	associate degree	not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions	associate degree	not reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants	undergraduate certificate	not reported

Show all 41 other programs at this school

Program	Credential	Median earnings (2 yr after completion)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	associate degree	$53,497
Biological and Physical Sciences	associate degree	$24,730
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	associate degree	$21,781
Agricultural Business and Management	associate degree	not reported
Agricultural Production Operations	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Agricultural Production Operations	associate degree	not reported
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services	associate degree	not reported
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Graphic Communications	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Computer and Information Sciences, General	associate degree	not reported
Computer Software and Media Applications	associate degree	not reported
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	associate degree	not reported
Engineering, General	associate degree	not reported
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering	associate degree	not reported
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians	associate degree	not reported
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians	associate degree	not reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	associate degree	not reported
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Criminal Justice and Corrections	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Criminal Justice and Corrections	associate degree	not reported
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians	associate degree	not reported
Design and Applied Arts	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Design and Applied Arts	associate degree	not reported
Health and Medical Administrative Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Health and Medical Administrative Services	associate degree	not reported
Business Administration, Management and Operations	associate degree	not reported
Accounting and Related Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Accounting and Related Services	associate degree	not reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services	associate degree	not reported
Hospitality Administration/Management	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Hospitality Administration/Management	associate degree	not reported
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations	undergraduate certificate	not reported

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In Illinois:

Questions students ask

What programs and credential levels does Highland Community College offer?: The school offers undergraduate certificates and associate degrees in cosmetology, vehicle maintenance, precision metal working, ground transportation, and allied health. It lists over 44 programs in total, covering various trade areas beyond the specific ones listed.
How much do graduates typically earn in these trade programs?: Data from the U.S. Department of Education reports a median earnings figure of $37,928 for graduates ten years after entering these programs.
What is the completion rate at this school?: The reported completion rate is 36.6%. This figure reflects students who finish within the tracking period and does not necessarily include those who transfer to four-year institutions.
Is Highland Community College public or private?: It is a public school located in Freeport, IL.
How does typical student debt compare to the cost of attending?: The median student debt at completion is $8,029. This is a one-time obligation, whereas the average annual net price is $5,713, meaning the debt covers less than two years of the typical yearly cost after aid.

Other options in Illinois

School	City	Net price / yr	Completion	Earnings (10 yr)
Southwestern Illinois College	Belleville	$10,427	33.1%	$36,884
Black Hawk College	Moline	$6,944	31.7%	$37,253
Carl Sandburg College	Galesburg	$3,662	51.5%	$35,274
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College	Chicago	$9,494	27.4%	$28,467
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College	Chicago	$7,886	34.2%	$37,962
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College	Chicago	$6,375	28%	$41,625

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 145521. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.