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 5,192 students (23% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is lower than the state community college average of 23:1.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 74%.
Quick Stats (2025)
Enrollment: 5,192 students
In-state tuition: $3,512
Out-state tuition: $5,142
Student:teacher ratio: 18:1
Minority enrollment: 58%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 281 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student population of Howard College has grown by 20% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 has increased from 13:1 over five years.
The Howard College diversity score of 0.57 is less than the state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,192 students
1,396 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
23:1
# Full-Time Students
1,195 students
890 students
# Part-Time Students
3,997 students
4,022 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
519 students
403 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,195 students
890 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
40 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,997 students
4,022 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
47 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
252 students
252 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
50%
46%
% Black
3%
14%
% White
42%
26%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
3%
% Non Resident races
1%
2%
% Unknown races
n/a
3%
Diversity Score
0.57
0.70
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.2787%
0.5469%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.3357%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,400
$34,600
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $3,512 is more than the state average of $3,316. 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 $5,750. The out-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,512
$3,316
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,142
$5,750
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
79%
84%
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,274
$10,765
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
81%
Source: 2024 (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?
From business and healthcare to technology and skilled trades, the article showcases the breadth of options available to students seeking to enhance their knowledge, develop new skills, or pursue career advancement.
This comprehensive guide explains what a community college is, its history, and its role in higher education. It covers the types of programs offered, differences from four-year colleges, benefits of attending, and important considerations for prospective students, providing valuable insights for those exploring educational options.
Quick Stats (2025)
Enrollment: 5,192 students
In-state tuition: $3,512
Out-state tuition: $5,142
Student:teacher ratio: 18:1
Minority enrollment: 58%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
For Texas public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,316 per year for in-state students and $5,750 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $13,996 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.
