Harper College SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
Harper is test-optional, but 46% of students submit SAT scores, and the merit benchmarks make a strong SAT especially useful. A 1220+ SAT with a 3.0 GPA can qualify you for the $1,000 Academic Recognition Scholarship. Since the middle SAT range tops out at 1140, aiming above that range gives you a clearer target than simply being admissible.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Harper College facts and stats
Harper College enrolls about 13,987 undergraduate students in a suburban campus setting. Harper has a freshman retention rate of 77%, which is above the national average of roughly 70%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1.
Palatine, IL
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Key Harper College application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
Not offered
Early Action
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Early Decision
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Priority Deadline
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Coming soon
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to Harper, take your first SAT or ACT by spring of junior year, then save the summer before senior year and a fall senior-year test for retakes and superscoring. Because Harper’s Academic Recognition Scholarship requires a 1220 SAT or 25 ACT and the Distinguished Trustee Scholarship requires a 1300 SAT or 27 ACT, plan to have any fall retake scores in before Harper’s scholarship deadline.
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What you'll actually pay
Harper’s in-state tuition is $9,492, while out-of-state tuition is $11,304. About 41% of students receive aid, and the average merit award is $2,720, giving families a starting point for comparing net costs.
Harper College’s out-of-state tuition is $11,304, compared with $9,492 in-state, and room and board is $14,251. About 41% of students receive aid, with an average package of $7,182, which can meaningfully reduce the billed cost for eligible students. Merit awards average $2,720, so strong applicants may see additional savings, but most families should plan around need-based aid and personal expenses.
Student life at Harper College
Campus housing details coming soon.
No fraternity or sorority life on campus.
Similar schools
American Islamic College
Chicago, ILAcceptance rate: 100%
Augustana College
Rock Island, ILAcceptance rate: 62.8%
SAT: 1040–1260
ACT: 21–29
Aurora University
Aurora, ILAcceptance rate: 80.8%
SAT: 900–1160
ACT: 21–29
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, ILAcceptance rate: 100%
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