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McHenry County College

Public Associate Good 68/100

McHenry County College

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Crystal Lake, Illinois

About McHenry County College

McHenry County College is a public institution offering associate degrees based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It enrolls 4,691 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Official website: mchenry.edu

Acceptance: Open
Graduation: 26.7%
Net Price: $7,042
Median Earnings (10yr): $45,143
Enrollment: 4,691
Student : Faculty: 24:1

Accreditor Higher Learning Commission

Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Good

68/100

UCD Score · 2-Year

Outcomes 48

Value 80

Affordability 37

Selectivity —

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

As a two-year college, McHenry County College generally admits all qualified applicants.

Acceptance Rate

Open

SAT Range (25th–75th)

—

Not reported

ACT Range (25th–75th)

—

Not reported

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending McHenry County College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $7,042 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.

Average Net Price

$7,042

Per year, after typical aid

Receive Pell Grants

11%

Need-based federal aid

Receive Federal Loans

Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees (in-state): $4,162
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state): $14,399
Room & Board (off-campus): $12,090
Books & Supplies: $1,400
Other Expenses (off-campus): $9,324
Total Cost of Attendance: $12,345

Application fee: $15 (one-time, due at submission)

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

Under $30,000

$5,609
$30,001 – $48,000

$6,383
$48,001 – $75,000

$7,761
$75,001 – $110,000

$10,497
Over $110,000

$12,345

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$1,515

10% percentile

$2,300

25% percentile

$6,260

Median percentile

$8,160

75% percentile

$13,500

90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median

Pell recipients $5,500 ↓ $760

No Pell $5,251 ↓ $1,009

Dependent students $4,950 ↓ $1,310

Independent students $7,705 ↑ $1,445

Female students $5,500 ↓ $760

Male students $5,000 ↓ $1,260

Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $5,000, close to what completers borrow ($6,260) but without the degree to show for it.

Graduation Rate & Retention

27% of full-time students who enrolled at McHenry County College graduate within six years, and 70% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate

27%

Of students who graduate within six years

First-Year Retention

70%

Returning for their second year

What this means: Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered McHenry County College earn a median of $45,143 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)

$45,143

Earning > $25K

72%

10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates

$31,500

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates

$43,600

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.

By Family Income at Entry

Family income (lowest third)

$32,900

Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (middle third)

$37,700

Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (highest third)

$40,900

Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $12,100, about 28% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.

Loan Repayment Progression

Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.

Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑ 15.4 pts across 6 years

What this signals: Strong. 75% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.

Who Studies Here

McHenry County College is home to 4,691 students, a mid-sized community. Some distinctive traits: 48% are first-generation college students, 55% study part-time.

Total Enrolled

4,691

Part-Time

55%

First-Generation

48%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents

White 60.2% 2,823

Hispanic 27.2% 1,276

Other 4.1% 194

Asian 2.6% 124

Black 2.3% 109

International 0.0% 1

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at McHenry County College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting

Rural: Fringe Crystal Lake, Illinois

Housing

Commuter campus No on-campus housing

Adult Learners

18% of students are 25 or older

Athletics

NCAA athletic-conference member

Academic Calendar

Semester scheduling structure

Designation

Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)

What You Can Study

McHenry County College offers a varied set of programs: 36 distinct programs across 15 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

2 Programs

Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts $53K ($36K–$73K)
Liberal Arts $53K ($36K–$73K)

5 Programs

Health

Practical Nursing $39K ($22K–$72K)
Nursing $89K ($68K–$114K)
Medical Assisting $69K ($46K–$91K)

1 Program

Interdisciplinary Studies

Biological and Physical Sciences $59K ($41K–$82K)

7 Programs

Business

Business Administration $68K ($48K–$94K)
Business Administration $68K ($48K–$94K)
Construction Management $95K ($77K–$115K)

2 Programs

Legal Studies

Legal Support $53K ($39K–$70K)
Legal Support $53K ($39K–$70K)

1 Program

Engineering

General Engineering $89K ($73K–$109K)

2 Programs

Mechanics & Repair

Vehicle Maintenance $81K ($63K–$104K)
Vehicle Maintenance $81K ($63K–$104K)

2 Programs

Engineering Tech

Engineering Technologies/Technicians $81K ($62K–$99K)
Mechanical Engineering Tech $82K ($67K–$99K)

View all majors View all programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at McHenry County College is 24:1, high (larger classes are common).

Student : Faculty

24:1

Students per instructional faculty member

Instruction / Student

$5,843

Annual instructional spending per enrolled student

Endowment

$12M

Modest endowment

Avg Faculty Salary

$103,729

9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

90 instructional faculty across 1 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank	Faculty Count	Share	Avg Salary
No Rank	90	100%	$103,729

Pros & Cons of McHenry County College

A quick at-a-glance summary of how McHenry County College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS

Very affordable net price after aid
Open admissions
Low typical debt at graduation
First-gen-friendly student body
Flexible part-time enrollment options

CONS

Larger class sizes than typical
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Modest first-year retention
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Mostly part-time student body, less full-time campus feel

Best for: Based on the data, McHenry County College is a fit for students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; families focused on keeping net cost low; working adults or students needing part-time study options.

Frequently Asked Questions about McHenry County College

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about McHenry County College.

Is McHenry County College hard to get into?

McHenry County College has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.

What is the acceptance rate at McHenry County College?

McHenry County College has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.

How much does McHenry County College cost?

The average net price after aid at McHenry County College is $7,042 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.

Is McHenry County College worth it?

Strong return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $45,143 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $7,042 per year. That's roughly 6.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.

What is McHenry County College known for?

McHenry County College is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Practical Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

What do McHenry County College graduates earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entering McHenry County College are $45,143, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.

Is McHenry County College accredited?

Yes. McHenry County College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

How many students attend McHenry County College?

McHenry County College enrolls 4,691 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.

What is the graduation rate at McHenry County College?

McHenry County College graduates 27% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

Is McHenry County College a public or private college?

McHenry County College is a Public institution.

Where is McHenry County College located?

McHenry County College is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

What programs does McHenry County College offer?

McHenry County College offers 36 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Practical Nursing.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio at McHenry County College?

The student-to-faculty ratio at McHenry County College is 24:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.