Student Enrollment

Student body demographics and enrollment patterns at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, IL.

Palatine, IL

What Are the Enrollment Numbers at William Rainey Harper College?

Total Enrollment

13,988

Currently enrolled students

Program Options

124

124 career programs

Full-Time Students

4,053

9,935 part-time

Total FTE

8,693

Full-time equivalent students

Student-Faculty Ratio

20:1

Students per faculty member

How William Rainey Harper College Compares

Enrollment of 13,988 places William Rainey Harper College on the larger end of trade-college scale. 29% full-time mix indicates flexibility for working students. Larger schools often translate to wider trade specializations and more robust placement support.

What Is the Student Body Size at William Rainey Harper College?

Training Program Focus

2609

Certificate Graduates

Short-term specialized training

4445

Total Recent Graduates

With 13,988 students, William Rainey Harper College is a large vocational institution offering diverse career training programs and extensive facilities. The school offers 124 specialized career programs designed for immediate workforce entry.

How Do Students Attend William Rainey Harper College?

Attendance Status Distribution

Full-Time Students 4,053 (29.0%)

29.0%

Part-Time Students 9,935 (71.0%)

71.0%

Total Students 13,988

Majority part-time students (71.0%), serving working professionals and those with other commitments.

Full-Time

Part-Time

Students are split between full-time (29.0%) and part-time attendance, reflecting flexible scheduling for working professionals.

Who Are the Students at William Rainey Harper College?

Student Demographics

Gender Distribution

Women

56.5%

7,897 students

Men

43.5%

6,091 students

Race/Ethnicity Distribution

Primary Ethnic Group

White

41.1%

5,750 students

White

41.1% (5,750)

Hispanic/Latino

33.6% (4,696)

Asian

13.5% (1,887)

Two or More Races

4.2% (588)

Black/African American

4.1% (574)

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

1.8% (245)

International Students

1.3% (176)

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1% (18)

Demographics Summary

Gender: Balanced gender distribution across 13,988 students

Largest Ethnic Group: White students make up 41% of the student body (5,750 students)

The student body reflects diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Interested in Academic Quality & Learning Environment?

Explore retention rates, student-faculty ratios, distance education options, and academic intensity on our dedicated Academics page.

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How Are Students Distributed by Level at William Rainey Harper College?

Undergraduate students

13,988 students

44% Men, 56% Women

4,053 Full-time 9,935 Part-time

Diversity Index: 70% • Minority Students: 53%

What Are the Attendance Patterns at William Rainey Harper College?

Full-Time Students

All Full-Time

4,053

All full-time students

2,024 men, 2,029 women

Diversity: 71%

FT Undergraduate

Subtotal

4,053

Full-time undergraduate

= 3,919 Degree-Seeking + 134 Non-Degree

2,024 men, 2,029 women

Diversity: 71%

FT Degree-Seeking

Subtotal

3,919

Full-time degree/certificate-seeking

= 1,570 First-Time + 2,349 Other Degree-Seeking

1,967 men, 1,952 women

Diversity: 70%

FT First-Time

1,570

Full-time first-time students

817 men, 753 women

Diversity: 69%

FT Other Degree-Seeking

Subtotal

2,349

Full-time transfers-in plus continuing

= 197 Transfer + 2,152 Continuing

1,150 men, 1,199 women

Diversity: 71%

FT Transfer

197

Full-time transfer-in students

98 men, 99 women

Diversity: 75%

FT Continuing

2,152

Full-time continuing students

1,052 men, 1,100 women

Diversity: 71%

FT Non-Degree

134

Full-time non-degree seeking

57 men, 77 women

Diversity: 76%

Part-Time Students

All Part-Time

9,935

All part-time students

4,067 men, 5,868 women

Diversity: 69%

PT Undergraduate

Subtotal

9,935

Part-time undergraduate

= 5,394 Degree-Seeking + 4,541 Non-Degree

4,067 men, 5,868 women

Diversity: 69%

PT Degree-Seeking

Subtotal

5,394

Part-time degree/certificate-seeking

= 837 First-Time + 4,557 Other Degree-Seeking

2,101 men, 3,293 women

Diversity: 68%

PT First-Time

837

Part-time first-time students

366 men, 471 women

Diversity: 66%

PT Other Degree-Seeking

Subtotal

4,557

Part-time transfers-in plus continuing

= 258 Transfer + 4,299 Continuing

1,735 men, 2,822 women

Diversity: 68%

PT Transfer

258

Part-time transfer-in students

78 men, 180 women

Diversity: 71%

PT Continuing

4,299

Part-time continuing students

1,657 men, 2,642 women

Diversity: 68%

PT Non-Degree

4,541

Part-time non-degree seeking

1,966 men, 2,575 women

Diversity: 70%

Understanding Student Categories

First-Time: Students starting their first postsecondary program

Continuing: Students who previously enrolled and are returning

Transfer: Students who transferred from other institutions

Degree-Seeking: Students enrolled in certificate or degree programs

Non-Degree: Students taking courses without pursuing a formal credential

What Is the Diversity Picture at William Rainey Harper College?

Undergraduate students

5,750

White

574

Black/African American

4,696

Hispanic/Latino

1,887

Asian

176

International

Diversity Index: 70% Minority Students: 53%

Want to See Student Success & Outcomes?

Explore completion rates, transfer patterns, and detailed 8-year student outcome tracking on our dedicated Student Outcomes page.

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Student Life & Campus Experience

Diverse Student Community

Students from various backgrounds come together to learn career-focused skills in a supportive environment.

Flexible Scheduling

Many students balance work and family commitments with their studies through part-time and evening programs.

Career-Focused Learning

Students are goal-oriented, seeking practical skills and credentials that lead directly to employment opportunities.

Explore More About William Rainey Harper College

College Overview

General information

Programs & Degrees

Available study options

Admissions

Requirements & process

AI-generated illustration of diverse students on a college campus with enrollment statistics, charts showing student demographics, attendance patterns, and campus life activities

Key Takeaways About William Rainey Harper College's Student Body

• Training Environment: Large vocational institution with 13,988 students offering extensive career programs and state-of-the-art facilities.

• Study Patterns: Flexible scheduling with many part-time students balancing work and education.

• Academic Intensity: 8,693 FTE students indicates flexible scheduling accommodating working students.

• Learning Format: Traditional in-person education with online components for flexibility.

• Academic Environment: Good student-faculty ratio (20:1) allows for meaningful instructor interaction.

• Student Diversity: Moderately diverse student community fostering inclusive learning environment.

• Learning Environment: Students benefit from career-focused education with hands-on training, experienced instructors, and support services designed to help them achieve their professional goals.

• Community: The student body includes diverse learners from various backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where students can network and learn from each other's experiences.

Get Information

Visit Website Admissions Office College Overview

Contact Information

Phone

8479256000

Address

1200 W Algonquin Rd

Palatine, IL 60067-7398

Student Success

The student body at trade colleges often includes:

• Working adults seeking career changes
• Recent high school graduates
• Military veterans using education benefits
• Students upgrading skills in their field
• Individuals seeking fast-track credentials