Harper vs College of Lake County

William Rainey Harper College and College of Lake County, both esteemed community colleges in Illinois, offer diverse educational opportunities to students seeking higher education. Harper College boasts a higher acceptance rate of 100%, welcoming a broader range of students, while College of Lake County maintains a slightly more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 99%. In terms of student body demographics, Harper College hosts a larger and more diverse student population, with a higher percentage of female students and a greater representation of various ethnicities. As for popular majors, Harper College excels in liberal arts and sciences, business, and healthcare, while College of Lake County specializes in engineering, manufacturing, and construction. Both institutions offer a supportive learning environment with dedicated faculty and comprehensive student services. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a detailed comparison table below, highlighting key differences between these two exceptional colleges. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	College of Lake County	William Rainey Harper College
Overview
Location	Grayslake, Illinois	Palatine, Illinois
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	2 year	2 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	72.0%	74.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	Open Admission
Application fees		$25
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required
High school GPA	N/A	N/A
Recommendation letters	N/A	N/A
High school transcript	N/A	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $25,732 Out of state: $28,924	In state: $29,820 Out of state: $31,632
Average net price	$5,486	$7,112
Tuition	In state: $9,016 Out of state: $12,208	In state: $9,372 Out of state: $11,184
Room & board
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	47.0% Average amount $5,459	57.0% Average amount $4,971
Students receiving federal student loan	2.0% Average amount $4,486	3.0% Average amount $4,807
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $6,000	0.0% Average amount $0

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	12,117 Men 41.7% Women 58.3%	12,015 Men 44.2% Women 55.8%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	0.4%	0.5%
International students	1.5%	0.6%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois Wisconsin Iowa Idaho	Illinois Pennsylvania Wisconsin Georgia Iowa

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Health Professions Automotive Technology Multidisciplinary Studies Culinary and Personal Services	Liberal Arts Health Professions Business Multidisciplinary Studies Engineering Technologies
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	28.5%	37.8%
Dropout rate	37.1%	28.9%
Transferred out	15.9%	20.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $61,377 Year 2: $57,920 Year 3: $64,022 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $55,123 Year 2: $59,350 Year 3: $61,433 Biological and Physical Sciences (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $21,964 Year 3: $38,658 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $27,907 Year 2: $22,116 Year 3: $31,282 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $29,884 Culinary Arts and Related Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $26,353 Year 3: N/A Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $49,107 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Legal Support Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: N/A Legal Support Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: N/A	Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $58,892 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $73,991 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $61,058 Year 2: $59,937 Year 3: $64,559 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $63,114 Year 2: $61,908 Year 3: $62,113 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $27,669 Year 3: $43,118 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,127 Year 3: $39,397 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $26,090 Year 2: $27,319 Year 3: $34,147 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $36,373 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: $32,807 Biological and Physical Sciences (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $28,238 Year 2: $22,420 Year 3: $27,387 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $30,173 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between William Rainey Harper College and College of Lake County?

William Rainey Harper College, located in Palatine, Illinois, primarily serves the northwest suburbs of Chicago. College of Lake County (CLC), located in Grayslake, Illinois, serves Lake County. While both are comprehensive community colleges offering a wide range of programs, Harper College is generally known for its strong transfer programs and robust career and technical education offerings, while CLC is recognized for its commitment to sustainability and environmental studies, as well as its strong healthcare programs.
Where are William Rainey Harper College and College of Lake County located?

William Rainey Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois. College of Lake County has its main campus in Grayslake, Illinois, with additional locations in Vernon Hills and Waukegan.
What types of programs do Harper College and College of Lake County offer?

Both Harper College and College of Lake County offer a wide variety of programs, including associate degrees for transfer, career and technical education programs, and continuing education courses. You can find programs in areas like business, healthcare, technology, liberal arts, and more at both institutions. Harper College has a strong reputation for its manufacturing and engineering technology programs, while CLC is known for its nursing and healthcare-related programs.
How do the tuition costs compare between Harper College and College of Lake County?

Tuition rates at both Harper College and College of Lake County are generally comparable, as they are both public community colleges in Illinois. However, specific costs can vary depending on residency status, course load, and program. It's best to check the official websites of both colleges for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information. Remember to also factor in potential financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
What student resources and support services are available at Harper College and College of Lake County?

Both Harper College and College of Lake County offer a comprehensive range of student resources and support services. These include academic advising, tutoring services, career counseling, disability services, libraries, and student life activities. You'll find similar resources at both colleges designed to help you succeed academically and personally. Check each college's website for specific details on their offerings.
How do the campus environments differ between Harper College and College of Lake County?

Harper College has a more suburban campus environment in Palatine, while College of Lake County's main campus in Grayslake offers a more rural setting. Both colleges have modern facilities and a welcoming atmosphere. Consider visiting both campuses to see which environment best suits your learning style and personal preferences.
Which college is better for transferring to a four-year university: Harper College or College of Lake County?

Both Harper College and College of Lake County have strong transfer programs and articulation agreements with numerous four-year universities in Illinois and beyond. The 'better' college for you depends on your intended major and the specific transfer agreements each college has with your target university. Research the transfer pathways available at both institutions to see which aligns best with your academic goals.
What are the class sizes like at Harper College and College of Lake County?

As community colleges, both Harper College and College of Lake County generally have smaller class sizes compared to larger universities. This allows for more personalized attention from instructors. Expect class sizes to vary depending on the course and program, but both colleges strive to maintain a student-to-faculty ratio that promotes effective learning.
Do Harper College and College of Lake County offer online courses?

Yes, both Harper College and College of Lake County offer a variety of online courses. This provides flexibility for students who prefer to learn remotely or need to balance their studies with other commitments. Check each college's website for a list of available online courses and programs.
What extracurricular activities and student organizations are available at Harper College and College of Lake County?

Both Harper College and College of Lake County offer a wide range of extracurricular activities and student organizations. These include clubs related to academics, culture, hobbies, and community service. Getting involved in these activities is a great way to meet new people, develop leadership skills, and enhance your college experience. Explore the student life sections of each college's website to learn more.

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