Student Outcomes

A data-driven look at student outcomes at Highland Community College — completion rates, transfers, and enrollment status.

Freeport, IL

What Are the Student Outcomes at Highland Community College?

Overall Completion Rate

38.5%

Working Student Success

41%

Transfer Out Rate

17.9%

Still Enrolled Rate

0.5%

How Highland Community College Compares

39% completion at Highland Community College is mid-pack for the trade-school landscape. The 18% transfer-out rate adds important context — many trade students intentionally use their first credential as a stepping stone to a four-year school, so transfer often signals success rather than dropout.

What Happens After Students Enroll at Highland Community College?

Eight-Year Student Outcomes

Eight-year outcomes for students who entered Highland Community College. This shows what happened to students in their cohort by the end of the tracking period.

29.5%
18.6%
51.0%
Completed
29.5%
228 students
Still Enrolled
0.9%
7 students
Transferred Out
18.6%
144 students
No Award
51.0%
394 students

Understanding These Outcomes

Completed: Students who earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from this institution.

Still Enrolled: Students who remain enrolled at this institution after the tracking period.

Transferred Out: Students who transferred to another institution and may have completed there.

No Award: Students who left without earning a credential and are not enrolled elsewhere.

Combined completion and transfer rate of 48.1% indicates strong student success pathways.

These outcomes track what happened to students eight years after they first enrolled. Completion rates include certificates, diplomas, and degrees earned at this institution. Transfer rates show students who continued their education at other colleges. Understanding these pathways helps prospective students set realistic expectations and plan their educational journey.

What Are the Transfer and Continuation Patterns at Highland Community College?

Success Rates by Student Entry Pathway

Comparing completion rates across different student entry pathways helps understand which groups succeed and how transfer experience impacts outcomes.

First-Time Students(362 cohort size)
49.0%
49.0% completed
19.0% transferred to other institutions
Transfer-In Students(43 cohort size)
53.0%
53.0% completed
16.0% transferred again to other institutions
Continuing Students(317 cohort size)
21.0%
21.0% completed

Key Insights

First-time and transfer students achieve similar completion rates, indicating equitable support regardless of entry pathway.

Combined 17.5% transfer-out rate suggests this institution may serve as a stepping stone for students continuing their education elsewhere.

Cohort Composition

362
First-Time
43
Transfer-In
317
Continuing

Understanding Student Pathways

First-Time Students: Beginning postsecondary education for the first time at this institution.

Transfer-In Students: Previously attended another postsecondary institution before enrolling here.

Continuing Students: Returned to this institution after a break in enrollment.

Completion rates tracked over 8 years from initial entry.

Different student entry pathways lead to varying success rates. First-time students enter directly from high school or are starting college for the first time. Transfer students bring prior college experience and credits. Understanding these patterns helps you identify which pathway aligns best with your situation and predict your likelihood of success.

What Are the Completion Rates by Student Type at Highland Community College?

Full-time Students
36.2%
Part-time Students
41%
First-time Students
49.7%
Transfer Students
42.3%

What does this mean for you? These completion rates show how different types of students succeed at this institution. Notably, part-time students have a higher success rate here (41% vs 36.2% for full-time), which is great news if you plan to work while studying. This pattern is common at trade colleges where programs are designed to accommodate working adults. First-time students are those new to college, while transfer students have attended another institution before.

What Are the Cohort Outcomes Over Time at Highland Community College?

Tracking outcomes for the 2015-16 cohort of 622 students

After 4 Years

84
Certificates
133
Associate Degrees
217
Total Awards
35%
Completion Rate

After 6 Years

84
Certificates
137
Associate Degrees
221
Total Awards
36%
Completion Rate

After 8 Years (Final)

85
Certificates
143
Associate Degrees
228
Total Awards
0%
Completion Rate

Final Student Status

0%
Graduated
0%
Still Enrolled Here
0%
Enrolled Elsewhere
0%
Status Unknown

Completion Breakdown by Cohort

Part-time First-time Transfer Students

Cohort Size: 17
8-Year Rate: 59%

Part-time First-time Students

Cohort Size: 164
8-Year Rate: 57%

All First-time Transfer Students

Cohort Size: 43
8-Year Rate: 53%

Full-time First-time Transfer Students

Cohort Size: 26
8-Year Rate: 50%

All First-time Students

Cohort Size: 362
8-Year Rate: 49%

Full-time First-time Students

Cohort Size: 198
8-Year Rate: 43%

All Full-time Students

Cohort Size: 300
8-Year Rate: 39%

All Part-time Students

Cohort Size: 510
8-Year Rate: 35%

Time to Completion

Average time: 5 years
Median time: 5 years
Complete on time: 35.2%

About This Data

Outcome measures data tracks student cohorts over 4, 6, and 8-year periods. Data is sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and reflects the most recent available reporting year.

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