William Rainey Harper College

https://www.harpercollege.edu/index.php

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$3,324

2.21% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$12,145

After Financial Aid

2024 Enrolled Students

13,988

29% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

47.6%

771 Graduates

About

William Rainey Harper College is a higher education institution located in Cook County, IL. In 2024, the most popular 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate concentrations at William Rainey Harper College were Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,032 degrees awarded), Medical Assistant (28 degrees), and Welding Technology (24 degrees).

In 2024, 4,445 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at William Rainey Harper College. 56.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 43.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,178 degrees), 1.83 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,193 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at William Rainey Harper College is $3,324, which is $−4,836 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($8,160).

Associates Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional Associates Colleges

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at William Rainey Harper College is $3,324, which is $4,836 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($8,160).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $12,145.

In 2024, 32% of undergraduate students attending William Rainey Harper College received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 2% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$3,324

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at William Rainey Harper College was $3,324. The cost of tuition at William Rainey Harper College is $−4,836 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Associates Colleges ($8,160).

This chart compares the tuition costs of William Rainey Harper College (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$12,145

2024 Value

83.8%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 William Rainey Harper College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,145. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of William Rainey Harper College grew by 83.8%.

This chart compares the average net price of William Rainey Harper College (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$13,324

Room and Board

$1,100

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at William Rainey Harper College was of $13,324 in 2024. The cost of room and board decreased by 13.3% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,100. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 17.2% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at William Rainey Harper College (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

32%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

32% of undergraduate students at William Rainey Harper College received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 11.1% with respect to 2023, when 36% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at William Rainey Harper College (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Enrollment

William Rainey Harper College had a total enrollment of 13,988 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at William Rainey Harper College is 4,053 students and the part-time enrollment is 9,935. This means that 29% of students enrolled at William Rainey Harper College are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at William Rainey Harper College, both undergraduate and graduate, is 41.1% White, 33.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 4.2% Two or More Races, 4.1% Black or African American, 1.75% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.129% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at William Rainey Harper College in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (23.2%), followed by White Female (20.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (15.7%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

29%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at William Rainey Harper College in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 13,988 students. The full-time enrollment at William Rainey Harper College is 4,053 and the part-time enrollment is 9,935. This means that 29% of students enrolled at William Rainey Harper College are enrolled full-time compared with 31.9% at similar Associates Colleges.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at William Rainey Harper College (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

77%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at William Rainey Harper College was 77%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Associates Colleges (64%), William Rainey Harper College had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at William Rainey Harper College (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
5,750 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
4,696 enrolled students
Asian
1,887 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at William Rainey Harper College is 41.1% White, 33.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 4.2% Two or More Races, 4.1% Black or African American, 1.75% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.129% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Associates Colleges is 41.3% White, 28.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.2% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 54 students (0.386%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 583 more women than men received degrees from William Rainey Harper College. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at William Rainey Harper College is white (2,178 degrees awarded). There were 1.83 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,193 degrees).

The most common 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate concentration at William Rainey Harper College is Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,032 degrees awarded), followed by Medical Assistant (28 degrees) and Welding Technology (24 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at William Rainey Harper College, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Liberal Arts & Humanities (1,962 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (401 degrees), and Communication Technologies (30 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at William Rainey Harper College are Elementary & middle school teachers (140,092 people), Other managers (108,172 people), Software developers (64,472 people), Registered nurses (46,399 people), and Secondary school teachers (43,969 people).

The most specialized majors at William Rainey Harper College in 2024 are Liberal Arts & Humanities (1,962 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (401 degrees), Communication Technologies (30 degrees), Precision Production (119 degrees), and Human Sciences (84 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at William Rainey Harper College are Surgeons, Agents & business managers of artists, performers, & athletes, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Correspondence clerks & order clerks, and Actuaries

The most specialized majors at William Rainey Harper College are Liberal Arts & Humanities (1,962 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (401 degrees), Communication Technologies (30 degrees), Precision Production (119 degrees), and Human Sciences (84 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at William Rainey Harper College are Elementary & secondary schools (303,429 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (142,788 people), Computer Systems Design (112,122 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (106,575 people), and Construction (69,470 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by William Rainey Harper College.

Most Common (2024)

Liberal Arts & Sciences
1,032 degrees awarded
Medical Assistant
28 degrees awarded
Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training
24 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate concentration at William Rainey Harper College was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 1,032 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate programs at William Rainey Harper College according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,931

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

2,514

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 1,931 degrees were awarded to men at William Rainey Harper College, which is 0.768 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,514).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at William Rainey Harper College by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 843 degrees were awarded to men at William Rainey Harper College in Liberal Arts & Sciences, which is 0.86 times less than the 980 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 980 degrees were awarded to men at William Rainey Harper College in Liberal Arts & Sciences, which is 1.16 times more than the 843 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

27%

100% Completion Time

46%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 27% of students graduating from William Rainey Harper College completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 46% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 50% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Associates Colleges Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (61.9%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at William Rainey Harper College is Female and White (61.9% graduation rate). Across all Associates Colleges, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,178 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
1,193 degrees awarded
Asian
650 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at William Rainey Harper College is white (2,178 degrees awarded). There were 1.83 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,193 degrees).

0.765% of degree recipients (34 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
1,588 degrees awarded
White Female
1,429 degrees awarded
White Female
1,428 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at William Rainey Harper College is white female (1,588 degrees awarded). There were 1.11 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,429 degrees).

Operations

William Rainey Harper College has an endowment valued at nearly $42M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 16.7M (39.8%) compared to the 12.8% average return (818k on 6.41M) across all Associates Colleges.

In 2024, William Rainey Harper College had a total salary expenditure of 186M. William Rainey Harper College employs 82 Professors, 50 Associate professors and 36 Assistant professors. Most academics at William Rainey Harper College are Female Professor (50), Male Professor (32), and Female Associate professor (29).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at William Rainey Harper College are: Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 126 employees, Service, with 102 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 79 employees.

Endowment

$42M

2024 Endowment

5.65%

growth from 2023

William Rainey Harper College has an endowment valued at about $42M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of William Rainey Harper College grew 5.65% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $35.6M higher than than the median endowment of Associates Colleges according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at William Rainey Harper College (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Associates Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$82.8M

2024 Salaries

5.91%

growth from 2023

In 2024, William Rainey Harper College paid a median of $82.8M in salaries, which represents 44.5% of their overall expenditure ($186M) and a 5.91% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 1.39% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 5.12% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$20.8M

Instructional Salaries

202

Number of Employees

In 2024, William Rainey Harper College paid a total of $20.8M to 202 employees working as instructors, which represents 25.1% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $720k (4.04%) for similar Associates Colleges.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at William Rainey Harper College were Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 126 employees, Service with 102 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 79 employees.

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