Head-to-head · 2026
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College vs Westmoreland County Community College
Compare average net price ($6,200 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; $5,167 at Westmoreland County Community College), ROI score (15.63 vs 18.11), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,752 vs $37,439), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Open / not reported at Westmoreland County Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Westmoreland County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.63 | 18.11 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $6,200 | $5,167 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $24,800 | $20,668 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,110 | $6,018 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,350 | $14,424 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,752 ✓ | $37,439 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 38.3% ✓ | 30.9% |
| Retention rate | 58.6% | 66.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $11,000 |
| Enrollment | 788 | 2,441 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Westmoreland County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,945 ✓ | $2,972 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,079 | $3,007 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,693 | $4,615 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,715 | $8,025 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,042 | $9,798 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Westmoreland County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 28.2% | 7% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 12.2% | 5.3% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 4.8% | 6.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 8% | 3.1% |
| Psychology, General | 4.2% | 2.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3.2% | 3.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.2% | 3.5% |
| Precision Metal Working | 0.3% | 6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Westmoreland County Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,033 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,132 difference over four years ($20,668 vs $24,800).
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College reports $1,313 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($38,752 vs $37,439). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 58.6% at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and 66.9% at Westmoreland County Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $11,000 vs $11,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College vs Westmoreland County Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Westmoreland County Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,167 per year vs $6,200 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The annual difference of $1,033 adds up to about $4,132 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $38,752 vs $37,439 at Westmoreland County Community College. The gap in the federal data is $1,313. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.