William Rainey Harper College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About William Rainey Harper College
Named for an early champion of community colleges, Harper College in Palatine keeps the focus on learning that travels well. It's known for solid transfer prep and career-minded study across the liberal arts, business and technology, health and public service, and the arts. Instructors emphasize teaching, and students back it up with tutoring, advising, counseling, and centers that make it easier to stay on track.
Facilities include a light-filled library, active labs and studios, performance spaces, a student hub, and fitness and rec areas. Campus life has clubs, shows, service projects, and intramurals; it's a commuter culture that still feels connected. Career prep leans on Chicagoland ties through fairs, mentorship, and real-world projects. The northwest suburbs offer parks, coffee spots, and nearby employers. And the college regularly opens stages and galleries for community events and seasonal showcases of student work.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
William Rainey Harper College offers 80 degree programs across 21 major academic fields, graduating approximately 4,445 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (2 programs, 1,962 graduates), Health (21 programs, 954 graduates), Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 401 graduates), Business (15 programs, 292 graduates) and Eng. Technologies (4 programs, 126 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 1,962 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 1,823 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
| General Studies | 139 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0102 |
Health (21 programs, 954 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing and Patient Care Assistant | 535 |
|
Residency
|
51.3902 |
| Registered Nursing | 80 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Emergency Care Attendant | 75 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0810 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | 41 |
|
Residency
|
51.1009 |
| Medical Assistant | 28 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0801 |
| Radiologic Technology | 25 |
|
Associate's
Residency
|
51.0911 |
| Licensed Practical Nursing | 24 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.3901 |
| Dental Hygiene | 21 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0602 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 21 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0904 |
| Sterile Processing Technology | 16 |
|
Other Award
|
51.1012 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography | 15 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0910 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 13 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
| Massage Therapy | 12 |
|
Other Award
|
51.3501 |
| Health Information Administration | 10 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0706 |
| Cardiovascular Technology | 10 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0901 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0716 |
| Community Health Counseling | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
51.1504 |
| Surgical Technology | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0909 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0920 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
51.2208 |
| Athletic Training | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0913 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 401 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 401 |
|
Associate's
|
30.0101 |
Business (15 programs, 292 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 71 |
|
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Business Administration and Management | 65 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Inventory and Warehouse Operations | 59 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0409 |
| Human Resources Management | 38 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1001 |
| Insurance Studies | 15 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1701 |
| Sales Skills and Operations | 10 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1804 |
| Banking and Financial Services | 8 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0803 |
| Accounting | 7 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0301 |
| Hospitality Management | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0901 |
| Purchasing and Contracts Management | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0202 |
| Administrative Assistant Science | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0401 |
| Office Occupations and Clerical Services | 2 |
|
Residency
|
52.0408 |
| Fashion Merchandising | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
52.1902 |
| Hotel and Motel Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0904 |
| Retailing and Retail Operations | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1803 |
Eng. Technologies (4 programs, 126 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Technology | 47 |
|
Other Award
|
15.1202 |
| Architectural Drafting and CAD | 43 |
|
Residency
|
15.1303 |
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology | 32 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0613 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
15.0303 |
Production (2 programs, 119 graduates)
Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology | 93 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
48.0508 |
| CNC Machinist Technology | 26 |
|
Other Award
|
48.0510 |
Computer & IT (4 programs, 109 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System and Network Management | 63 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.1002 |
| Computer Programming | 17 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0201 |
| Computer Support Specialist | 17 |
|
Other Award
|
11.1006 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 12 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0801 |
Human Sciences (3 programs, 84 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Provider and Assistant | 68 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19.0709 |
| Fashion and Fabric Consulting | 10 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
19.0906 |
| Apparel and Textile Manufacturing | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
19.0902 |
Security & Safety (5 programs, 76 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Science and Firefighting | 21 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0203 |
| Criminal Justice and Police Science | 17 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0107 |
| Forensic Science and Technology | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0406 |
| Homeland Security | 13 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
|
43.0301 |
| Security and Loss Prevention | 9 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0109 |
Mechanics (3 programs, 67 graduates)
Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair | 30 |
|
Residency
|
47.0101 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology | 26 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0201 |
| Industrial Electronics Technology | 11 |
|
Other Award
|
47.0105 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about William Rainey Harper College
How much does it cost to attend William Rainey Harper College?
The annual tuition at William Rainey Harper College is $9,990 for in-state students and $11,802 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $11,090 for in-state students and $12,902 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,324 (off-campus) and books and supplies $1,100.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does William Rainey Harper College offer?
William Rainey Harper College offers 80 academic programs across 21 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (21 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (1 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (15 programs)
- Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at William Rainey Harper College?
William Rainey Harper College provides financial aid to 12% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,526 and average loans of $5,366.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,119
- State/Local grants: $2,267
- Institutional grants: $4,178
- Federal loans: $4,767
The university supports 804 students with grants and 35 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for William Rainey Harper College graduates?
William Rainey Harper College graduates earn a median salary of $40,035 after 6 years and $48,071 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $25,536 (25th percentile) to $73,829 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $75,200 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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