We are a progressive and public community college dedicated to providing students with dynamic centers of learning and promoting economic and community development while being resourceful and fiscally responsible.
School Highlights
Howard College serves 4,101 students (24% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 35:1 is higher than the state community college average of 34:1.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 75%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
Enrollment: 4,101 students
In-state tuition: $3,512
Out-state tuition: $5,142
Student-teacher ratio: 35:1
Minority enrollment: 58%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 118 teachers has declined by 58% over five years.
Howard College
(TX) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Traditional
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $3,512 is more than the state average of $3,345. The in-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,142 is less than the state average of $5,806. The out-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
The Howard County Junior College District was created by a
county-wide vote on November 17, 1945. Seven citizens of Howard
County were elected on that same ballot to serve as a Board of
Trustees. Howard College was first housed two miles west of
downtown Big Spring in the hospital area of the former Air Force
Bombardier School. The first session began on September 30, 1946.
On September 12, 1951, the college was moved to a one hundred acre
campus located in southeast Big Spring. On November 6, 1979, the
Board of Trustees unanimously voted to establish the SouthWest
Collegiate Institute for the Deaf as a part of the Howard County
Junior College District. The first classes offered through this
program began on August 25, 1980. Howard College/Big Spring
physical facilities are located on a spacious campus. The 120-acre
campus contains an administration-classroom complex, a two-story
science building, a 14,000 square foot library building, a fitness
center, a student union building, a music building, a practical
arts building, an applied science center, a 28,000 square foot
occupational building, residence halls for men and women, a 90,000
square foot coliseum complex, a baseball park, a softball park, and
a football stadium with a seating capacity of ten thousand,
utilized and maintained by the Big Spring Independent School
District. Howard College is accredited by The Commission on
Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to
award associate degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Howard College cost?
Howard College's tuition is approximately $3,512 for In-State students and $5,142 for Out-State students.
What schools are Howard College often compared to?
Learn how a full required course can delay graduation, how to navigate waitlists, and how to find approved alternatives that protect your community college degree timeline and financial aid eligibility.
Understand how catalog years determine community college graduation requirements, how enrollment breaks and major changes affect eligibility, and what to verify before choosing courses or switching to a newer catalog.
Learn what happens when your community college discontinues your program before graduation, including teach-out options, credit transfers, financial aid implications, student protections, and practical steps to finish your degree successfully.
Quick Facts (26-27)
Enrollment: 4,101 students
In-state tuition: $3,512
Out-state tuition: $5,142
Student-teacher ratio: 35:1
Minority enrollment: 58%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
For Texas public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,345 per year for in-state students and $5,806 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $13,749 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.
