Head-to-head · 2026
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College vs Reading Area Community College
Compare average net price ($6,200 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; $9,228 at Reading Area Community College), ROI score (15.63 vs 10.59), ten-year median earnings ($38,752 vs $39,082), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Open / not reported at Reading Area Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Reading Area Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 15.63 ✓ | 10.59 |
| Avg net price | $6,200 ✓ | $9,228 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $38,752 | $39,082 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 38.3% ✓ | 33.6% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 788 | 3,703 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Reading Area Community College costs $3,028 more per year than Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ($9,228 vs $6,200). Reading Area Community College graduates report $330 higher median earnings after ten years ($39,082 vs $38,752). On EduGradify's model that puts Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ahead on projected ROI (15.63 vs 10.59, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Pennsylvania Highlands Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College vs Reading Area Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College or Reading Area Community College the better value?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (15.63 vs 10.59), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,200 per year vs $9,228 at Reading Area Community College. The annual difference of $3,028 adds up to about $12,112 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Reading Area Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $39,082 vs $38,752 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $330.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College reports a A value grade; Reading Area Community College reports B.