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William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, Illinois · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1200 W Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067 · Phone: (847) 925-6000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
William Rainey Harper College is a public trade school in Palatine, Illinois, offering CNA classes, welding, and EMT training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and other specialized bodies.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Harper College's completion rate is 47.6%, below the state average of 58.4%; median graduate debt is $10,184 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $48,071.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Harper College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid is available (Title IV), and 19.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $37,590 | $45,960 | $48,380 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,890 | $51,320 | $61,520 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $36,420 | $42,260 | $49,640 |
| Phlebotomists | $37,370 | $46,010 | $49,720 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $59,350 | $79,930 | $97,950 |
| Medical assistants | $36,400 | $46,090 | $49,460 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $46,690 | $77,410 | $96,030 |
| Dental hygienists | $74,280 | $96,670 | $101,800 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $58,880 | $75,000 | $79,560 |
| Surgical technologists | $48,560 | $64,650 | $77,670 |
| Machinists | $38,390 | $58,520 | $65,620 |
| Massage therapists | $33,770 | $60,490 | $77,550 |
| Construction laborers | $38,880 | $60,690 | $95,240 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $40,330 | $58,830 | $73,620 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 566 | not reported | $31,127 | $6,258 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 53 | not reported | $27,669 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 41 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 39 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 27 | not reported | $27,669 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 24 | $61,058 | $59,937 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 24 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 23 | not reported | $31,127 | $6,258 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 17 | $58,892 | $58,673 | $14,459 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 16 | $58,892 | $58,673 | $14,459 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $58,892 | $58,673 | $14,459 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
William Rainey Harper College is a public trade and career training campus in Palatine, Illinois. It participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and its programs carry specialized accreditation from bodies including the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, among others. The campus awards training across 24 program families, most commonly CNA classes (566 completers), welding (77), and EMT & paramedic training (58).
Federal data show a completion rate of 47.6%, below the state average of 58.4%. Graduates carry a median debt of $10,184, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $48,071. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 19.7% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income enrollment. Total undergraduate enrollment is 9,313, with 947 completers in trade programs.
This campus offers both short career-training certificates (such as CNA and EMT programs) and longer technical programs like welding, which may suit adult learners or career changers looking for a range of entry points, though exact program lengths are not stated here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting Harper College, since some figures — including annual cost — are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Harper College offers 24 program families, most notably CNA classes (566 completers), welding (77), and EMT & paramedic training (58). Other program families include phlebotomy, radiology tech, dental hygiene, and culinary arts.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Harper College is accredited. Accreditors include the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, among others.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs. About 19.7% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 47.6%, which is below the state average of 58.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,184, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $48,071, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (847) 925-6000 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Harper College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for in-state residents compared to private for-profit schools, though exact cost figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available data. Contact the school directly to confirm program duration for specific trades.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?149842, or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both short-term certificate programs (like CNA and EMT training) and longer technical programs (like welding), which may appeal to career changers, though specific scheduling or adult-learner accommodations are not detailed in this data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Harper College at (847) 925-6000 or through its website at https://www.harpercollege.edu/index.php.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported in this listing. Use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
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See all trade and career schools in Illinois or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.