William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, IL 9,313 Undergrads 38.4% Grad Rate

School Website|Financial Calculator

Total Cost

$19,288

Sticker Price

Avg Net Price

$11,607

After Aid

Median Earnings

$56,704

4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$11,607

Peer Midpoint: $17,333.5

Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$56,704

Peer Midpoint: $34,461

Graduation Rate38.4%

Peer Midpoint: 68.7%

Socio-Economic Diversity

Pell Grant Recipients28.4%

Enrollment Status

Full-Time42.1%

Economic Outcomes

Earn More than HS65.9%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance

100.0%

SAT Avg

SAT Reading

25th: --75th: -

SAT Math

25th: --75th: -

ACT Composite

25th: --75th: -

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV

Vs Median Peer

Vs HS Grad

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

+$647k

+$255k

+$163k

Median Cost$12k/yr

+$636k

+$245k

+$152k

Full Cost$19k/yr

+$629k

+$237k

+$145k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age

Return on Inv. %

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

∞

Median Cost$12k/yr

1410%

Full Cost$19k/yr

809%

Analysis Assumptions:

Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return1669%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return331%

Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Certificates

Accounting and Related Services

CertCIP: 5203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$45,358

Natl Median: $44,589

Lifetime Value Added

+$32k

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

CertCIP: 5108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$64,750

Natl Median: $34,272

Lifetime Value Added

+$234k

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

CertCIP: 5109

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$87,267

Natl Median: $57,584

Lifetime Value Added

+$453k

Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection

CertCIP: 4604

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $42,012

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Business Administration, Management and Operations

CertCIP: 5202

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $47,440

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

CertCIP: 5204

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$70,953

Natl Median: $32,681

Lifetime Value Added

+$294k

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

CertCIP: 5110

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $38,675

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 1512

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $38,000

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Programming

CertCIP: 1102

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $56,556

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Software and Media Applications

CertCIP: 1108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,400

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

CertCIP: 1109

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,162

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

CertCIP: 1110

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $52,615

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Culinary Arts and Related Services

CertCIP: 1205

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $30,572

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Design and Applied Arts

CertCIP: 5004

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $36,116

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 1513

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,359

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 4701

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $43,027

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

CertCIP: 5207

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,211

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Fire Protection

CertCIP: 4302

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $62,436

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

CertCIP: 5218

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $52,001

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Geography and Cartography

CertCIP: 4507

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $58,705

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Graphic Communications

CertCIP: 1003

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $32,130

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Health and Medical Administrative Services

CertCIP: 5107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$47,479

Natl Median: $35,447

Lifetime Value Added

+$54k

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

CertCIP: 4702

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,148

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Homeland Security

CertCIP: 4303

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $62,995

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Hospitality Administration/Management

CertCIP: 5209

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $40,962

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

CertCIP: 1907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $31,135

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Resources Management and Services

CertCIP: 5210

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $61,907

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Insurance

CertCIP: 5217

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $80,539

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Legal Support Services

CertCIP: 2203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$62,081

Natl Median: $49,747

Lifetime Value Added

+$207k

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

CertCIP: 2401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $44,906

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

CertCIP: 5139

Median Debt

$6,258

Earnings (4yr)

$69,119

Natl Median: $56,073

Lifetime Value Added

+$276k

Precision Metal Working

CertCIP: 4805

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,702

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Public Health

CertCIP: 5122

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,933

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Security Science and Technology

CertCIP: 4304

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $54,296

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services

CertCIP: 5135

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $29,652

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Associate's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services

AssocCIP: 5203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $47,660

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

AssocCIP: 5109

Median Debt

$14,459

Earnings (4yr)

$80,912

Natl Median: $65,389

Lifetime Value Added

+$313k

Apparel and Textiles

AssocCIP: 1909

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $45,422

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biological and Physical Sciences

AssocCIP: 3001

Median Debt

$6,375

Earnings (4yr)

$54,379

Natl Median: $50,181

Lifetime Value Added

+$69k

Business Administration, Management and Operations

AssocCIP: 5202

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$78,284

Natl Median: $48,733

Lifetime Value Added

+$289k

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

AssocCIP: 5204

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $37,587

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Programming

AssocCIP: 1102

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $58,070

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Software and Media Applications

AssocCIP: 1108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,737

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Criminal Justice and Corrections

AssocCIP: 4301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$50,553

Natl Median: $46,706

Lifetime Value Added

+$32k

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

AssocCIP: 5106

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$69,701

Natl Median: $61,982

Lifetime Value Added

+$212k

Design and Applied Arts

AssocCIP: 5004

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $38,127

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services

AssocCIP: 5131

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $44,303

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 1503

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $67,792

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Engineering, General

AssocCIP: 1401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$75,970

Natl Median: $72,916

Lifetime Value Added

+$268k

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

AssocCIP: 5207

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $40,095

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Fine and Studio Arts

AssocCIP: 5007

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $31,650

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Fire Protection

AssocCIP: 4302

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $73,589

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

AssocCIP: 5218

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $46,500

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Health and Medical Administrative Services

AssocCIP: 5107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$46,359

Natl Median: $37,073

Lifetime Value Added

-$9k

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

AssocCIP: 4702

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $58,236

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Homeland Security

AssocCIP: 4303

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $58,829

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Hospitality Administration/Management

AssocCIP: 5209

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,099

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

AssocCIP: 1907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $34,184

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Resources Management and Services

AssocCIP: 5210

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $54,425

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Services, General

AssocCIP: 4400

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $39,422

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 1506

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $73,593

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Information Science/Studies

AssocCIP: 1104

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $56,799

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Legal Support Services

AssocCIP: 2203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $44,669

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

AssocCIP: 2401

Median Debt

$8,920

Earnings (4yr)

$50,088

Natl Median: $44,125

Lifetime Value Added

+$28k

Music

AssocCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $34,056

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Precision Metal Working

AssocCIP: 4805

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $56,451

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

AssocCIP: 0909

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,309

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

AssocCIP: 5138

Median Debt

$11,786

Earnings (4yr)

$82,445

Natl Median: $80,813

Lifetime Value Added

+$326k

Security Science and Technology

AssocCIP: 4304

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $43,839

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations

AssocCIP: 5219

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,002

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.