What Is It Known For?
Highland Community College holds the distinction of being Kansas’s first college, originally founded as Highland University in 1858. Through eight name changes and over 165 years of service, the school has remained committed to serving Northeast Kansas from its small rural setting.
Today, approximately 4,000 students study across multiple locations, including the main Highland campus, regional centers in Atchison, Baileyville, and Wamego, online programs, and concurrent enrollment at 31 high schools throughout the nine-county service area. This widespread reach makes Highland a cornerstone of education for rural Kansas communities.
Degrees & Certifications
The college provides opportunities for associate degree completion, certification completion, and skill enhancement to meet student objectives.
Some of the programs you can expect to find here include:
- Diesel Technology
- Welding Technology
- Practical Nursing
- HVAC
- Business Technology
- And Much More!
Class Schedules
Highland Community College offers in-person, online, and hybrid classes to accommodate different learning styles and schedules. The active online program runs courses in both 8-week and 16-week sessions, allowing students to accelerate their education or take a more traditional pace. Regional centers provide day, evening, and weekend class options based on student needs.
Healthcare programs like Medical Assistant and Nursing require students to complete externships before graduation. These real-world experiences let students demonstrate classroom knowledge while building confidence for their careers. Working in actual healthcare settings also helps students confirm they’ve chosen the right field before graduation.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. Highland Community College is a legitimate institution. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Acceptance Rate
Highland Community College has a 100% acceptance rate.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Tuition at Highland Community College depends on the type of program and is charged per hour as follows:
- Non-Technical/Online: $95.00
- International: $290.00
- Technical Programs: $145.00
- Nursing Programs: $169.00
- Early College: $50.00
This can add up to roughly $4,650 based on 30 credit hours per year when you add in other fees. However, this figure only tells part of the story. To get a better estimate, including books, supplies, and living expenses, we recommend using the school’s net price calculator for more accurate information specific to your situation.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Business Technology
Healthcare
- Allied Health
- LPN to RN
- Medical Coding
- Medical Assistant
- Practical Nursing
Skilled Trades
- Automotive Collision & Refinishing Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Construction Technology
- Diesel Technology
- Electrical Technology
- HVAC
- Welding Technology
Campus Locations
Highland 606 W Main Highland, KS 66035
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Highland Community College (HCC) presents a mixed bag, showing strong community and educational value but consistently challenged by serious administrative, financial, and dorm issues, including very serious but isolated accusations.
Overall Score: 3.7/5 Stars
Common Praises
Small Town Charm and Community Atmosphere: Many reviewers, particularly parents and visitors, appreciate the small-town setting, which provides a “uniquely valuable social growth opportunity” for students. The campus is described as having a “great atmosphere” and the people in the town and on campus are generally considered “nice,” “friendly,” and welcoming.
Value and Quality Education: A key positive is the perceived value of the education, with one reviewer suggesting it offers “quality education for a low price” compared to other options. The small class sizes are also highlighted as a positive for learning.
Specific Program Strengths: The vocal music program is specifically noted as “excellent,” suggesting high quality in certain departments. The football coaching staff is also mentioned positively.
Apartment-Style Housing: One parent specifically mentioned the “nice apartment style housing” as a comforting factor for a student’s first year.
Common Criticisms
Administrative and Financial Scams/Lies: The most severe and repeated complaints center on administration, finance, and transparency. Multiple reviews use strong language, accusing the college of “literally steals and scams students out of their money” and “lied about his money” regarding scholarships. One student reported being kicked out after enrolling, attending lectures, and buying books. Another reviewer noted communication failure with a third-party company after paying off tuition early, leading to potential issues.
Rude and Unprofessional Admissions Staff: Specific staff members, particularly an admissions representative, are called out for being “extremely rude,” “irritated,” and making the admissions process “uncomfortable.” This points to a significant issue in the front-facing student services.
Poor Living Conditions: Dormitories are frequently criticized. While one reviewer admitted dorms need work at most US colleges, others described the living conditions in very harsh terms, with one comparison to a “prison.”
Hidden/Unwanted Fees (Books): The long-distance learning program was criticized for automatically adding the cost of books to tuition, forcing students to pay inflated prices for books they could rent far cheaper elsewhere, leading to a higher total cost.
Extreme, Isolated Accusations: There are very serious, though isolated, accusations of the institution being “incredibly racist” and claims of highly inappropriate conduct involving a music instructor. These are not widespread claims but represent extremely severe concerns.
Momentum
The recent reviews (within the last year) are dominated by the serious complaints about rude admissions staff, the accusation of being an “incredibly racist institution,” and general neutral/positive comments about the small-school atmosphere. The most severe financial/scam-related complaints are older (4–7 years ago), but the administrative/staff rudeness issue seems to have persisted. The fact that the owner has replied to at least one criticism about financial issues shows a degree of responsiveness, but the issues themselves remain a prominent theme in the feedback history.