City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College vs Highland Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Highland Community College comes closer — median earnings $37,928 against a $22,852 total, vs $36,484 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College | Highland Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,863 | $5,713 |
| Total net cost | $31,452 | $22,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,484 | $37,928 |
| Median debt | $6,997 | $8,029 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$268,972 | -$231,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or Highland Community College?
Highland Community College, at $5,713 a year after aid versus $7,863 — a gap of $2,150 a year, or $8,600 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or Highland Community College graduates earn more?
Highland Community College graduates report a median $37,928 ten years after entry, $1,444 more than the $36,484 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or Highland Community College?
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College: its completers carry a median $6,997 in federal loans versus $8,029 at Highland Community College, a difference of $1,032. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
45% of students finish at Highland Community College, against 32% at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.