Hillsborough College
Hillsborough College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hillsborough College at a Glance
Hillsborough College (HC), formerly known as Hillsborough Community College, is a public community college in Hillsborough County, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System.
1968
58 years old
$8M
$7.6 million (2020)
43,000
Identity
Is Hillsborough College Worth It?
Hillsborough College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $3,861/year net price and $40,782 median earnings, graduates earn 10.6× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 34% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: Hillsborough College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Hillsborough College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #9 of 85 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #9 | Hillsborough College | 89 | $3,861 | $40,782 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Hillsborough College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in FL.
Best Programs at Hillsborough College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Hillsborough College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $3,861/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Tampa, FL
- Student Body
- 21,472 students
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $3,861
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,782
- Median Student Debt
- $9,762