Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania- Graduation Rate
- 39% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,752 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $6,200 A-
- 64% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 788
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 38.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $38.8 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania.
Every $1 spent returns $38.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $938,162.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 39% — 31% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $38.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Matters
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a public community college in Johnstown, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 788
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Humanities, Health Professions, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,200 a year after grants and scholarships — 64% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,752 ten years after enrolling — 5% below the typical college, against $11,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 72% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.10 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 788 students, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a great fit for those looking to dive into practical fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, or Computer Science & IT. The intimate setting fosters close relationships with faculty, which can be crucial for students seeking personalized support in their studies. The focus on these programs means students gain skills that are directly applicable in today’s job market.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $38,752 within ten years. This figure is a solid indicator of the college's effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce. The affordability of education here is also a plus, with a net price of just $6,200. This financial accessibility allows many students to complete their degrees without overwhelming debt, making it easier to achieve financial stability post-graduation.
When it comes to the cost of attendance, the median debt stands at $11,000, which is relatively manageable compared to many other institutions. This is particularly appealing for those who are cautious about taking on excessive debt. Students who thrive here often appreciate the supportive environment and the opportunity to focus on practical skills that lead to good job prospects, making it a wise choice for many looking to jumpstart their careers.
Rankings
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #9 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #20 Best Business Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #25 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania
- #26 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #27 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Pennsylvania
- #30 Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #30 Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania Highlands Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 38%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,848
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is $13,350, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,200. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,945 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,110
- Out-of-State
- $13,350
- Avg Net Price
- $6,200
- Median Debt
- $11,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 18%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 13%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $2,945
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,079
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $6,693
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,042
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College report median earnings of $38,752, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,465
- 8 Years
- $34,313
- 10 Years
- $38,752
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.28x
- Earning > $25K
- 47%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (59)
- 30%
- 100% (59)
- 30%
- 100% (59)
- 30%
- 100% (59)
- 30%
How Pennsylvania Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,200/year ($24,800 total). Graduates earn $38,752 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $962,962 in total earnings — a net gain of $938,162 (38.8× your investment). The median debt is $11,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 39% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $24,800
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $962,962
- Net Return
- $938,162
- ROI Multiple
- 38.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,200
- Median Debt
- $11,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.07%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 17.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 6.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $55,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.07%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 6.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 17.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $75,813
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $368,697
- Federal Grants
- $1,143,703
Top Programs
The fields Pennsylvania Highlands Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 26% $29,935 early-career
- Humanities 24%
- Health Professions 17% $40,898 early-career
- Criminal Justice 10% $34,239 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $35,917 early-career
- Education 4%
- Communications 3%
- Psychology 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania Highlands Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is $13,350, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,200. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,945 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,000 in federal student loans.
Is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College report median earnings of $38,752, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.07%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 17.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 6.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $55,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.10, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.
- Allen County Community CollegeIola, KS · Close peer38% grad $40,059 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Fulton-Montgomery Community CollegeJohnstown, NY · Close peer37% grad $39,535 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Labette Community CollegeParsons, KS · Close peer26% grad $37,818 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Western Nebraska Community CollegeScottsbluff, NE · Close peer36% grad $38,729 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Columbia-Greene Community CollegeHudson, NY · Close peer40% grad $44,441 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- SUNY Corning Community CollegeCorning, NY · Close peer33% grad $38,817 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.10, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note