- 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 3,674 students (27% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the state community college average of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 70%.
Quick Stats (2023-24)
- Enrollment: 3,674 students
- In-state tuition: $3,512
- Out-state tuition: $5,142
- Student:teacher ratio: 13:1
- Minority enrollment: 60%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 281 teachers has grown by 132% over five years.
Howard College
(TX) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
281 staff
262 staff

School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Howard College has declined by 13% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 has decreased from 15:1 over five years.
The Howard College diversity score of 0.60 is less than the state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has grown by 5% over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,674 students
4,541 students

Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
17:1

# Full-Time Students
1,001 students
1,289 students

# Part-Time Students
2,673 students
3,252 students



# Enrollment Undergraduate
210 students
344 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,001 students
1,266 students

# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
16 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,673 students
3,252 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
15 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
252 students
251 students

% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
1%
5%

% Hispanic
49%
46%

% Black
5%
12%

% White
40%
30%

% Two or more races
4%
2%

% Non Resident races
1%
2%
% Unknown races
n/a
3%


Diversity Score
0.60
0.68

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
25%
26%

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
2.44%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,400
$34,600

Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $3,512 is less than the state average of $3,626. 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 $5,997. The out-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,512
$3,626

Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,142
$5,997

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
91%
83%

Median Debt for Graduates
$9,274
$10,765

Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$5,500

Acceptance Rate
n/a
76%
Source: 2021 (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?
Howard Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Western Texas College, South Plains College by visitors of our site.
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