Academic Programs & Learning

Explore academic rigor, student retention, and distance education at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College in Chicago, IL.

What About Academic Quality at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

20:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

59%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

44%

Part-time students continuing

📊

How City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Compares

Retention at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College runs at 59%, fairly typical for the trade-college space. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio suggests an institution operating at familiar academic-quality benchmarks rather than pushing them.

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 20:1 means there are approximately 20 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 31% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?

Total Teaching Staff
98
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
20:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
39%
Underrepresented minorities

Understanding Faculty Composition

With 98 instructors on staff, City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College maintains a teaching-focused faculty. 94% of faculty hold tenured positions.

How Successful Are Students at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?

Student Retention Rates

59.0%
First-Time Full-Time
Fair
44.0%
First-Time Part-Time
Needs Improvement

Retention Rate Comparison

First-Time Full-Time
59.0%

New full-time students returning for second year

First-Time Part-Time
44.0%

New part-time students returning for second year

Cohort Information

Cohort Year:2024 academic year

Student Success Analysis

Full-Time Success:59% retention rate indicates opportunities to enhance student support services.

Retention Impact: Higher retention rates indicate student satisfaction, academic success, and effective institutional support systems.

Retention rates measure how many students return each year. At City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College, 59% of students continue — a figure worth considering alongside program quality and career outcomes.

Where Do Online Students at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)

Exclusively Online
2,178
of 6,121 total (35.6%)
Some Online Courses
1,458
of 6,121 total (23.8%)

Where exclusively-online students are located

Same state (IL) 2,158 (99.1%)
Other US states 11 (0.5%)
Outside the US 9 (0.4%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

99% of City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College's exclusively online students are located in IL. The school primarily serves local online learners.

What Is the Academic Load at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

3,837
Total FTE
3,837
Undergraduate FTE

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:62.7% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent enrollment at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College standardizes headcount by weighting part-time students proportionally. This gives a more accurate view of institutional capacity.

How Intensively Do Students Study at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

62.7%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelModerate-Low

Significant part-time enrollment, ideal for working professionals and students with other responsibilities.

Undergraduate FTE
3,837
Total FTE
3,837
Headcount
6,121

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

With an FTE-to-headcount ratio of 0.63, City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College's enrollment intensity reveals how committed students are to full-time study.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College directly at 3125535600 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 supports personalized learning
  • 98 instructional staff with 94% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students primarily from IL (99% in-state)
  • Strong retention rates demonstrate student satisfaction and academic support

Ready to Learn More About Academics at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

0 of 3
+ Add school+ Add school+ Add school
Compare Now