The Highland campus has seven buildings: the Marvin-Burt Liberal Arts Center, the Science Center, the Technology Center, the Community Services Center, the Sports Center, the Ferguson Fine Arts Center, and the Student/Conference Center.  Designated a regional arboretum, the campus includes a natural prairie, woodland, a pond, outdoor study areas, four softball diamonds, a baseball field, physical education fields, and a multipurpose athletic field.  A mile-long paved and lighted bike path links the college to the edge of Freeport.  An encircling roadway gives access to several parking areas.

Highland Community College awards associate of arts, associate of science, associate of engineering science, and associate of general studies degrees in 29 majors, including agriculture, business administration, computer science, history, music, physics, political science, pre-medicine, psychology, theatre and others.  Highland awards 22 certificates in a variety of career programs, including allied health, automotive, cosmetology, manufacturing, and others.  In addition, the college awards an associate of applied science degree in 13 career subjects. 

In an effort to add to the overall quality of educational services provided throughout the Highland District, Highland Community College fulfills the role of administrative agent for two very important programs:  Tech Prep and Education-to-Careers.  These regional programs are designed to assist all learners in developing an education and career path in order that they may succeed after they complete formal schooling.  Schools and school systems from all the counties served by Highland participate in these initiatives.  Through this effort and continued course articulation in English, math and foreign language, Highland and its partners hope to continue to build a continuous web of learning experiences and opportunities.

Student success is a priority for Highland Community College.  The faculty and staff are committed to creating and maintaining the highest quality teaching and learning environment.  A comprehensive package of student services is available through the Freeport campus, including academic advising, career information, financial aid, job search assistance, and a transfer center dedicated to assisting students with a smooth transition to a baccalaureate program.  Other services available include a needs assessment coordinator to assist with student access, specialized advising, and a learning assistance center which provides free tutoring and study assistance. Because student activities are an important component of the college environment, Highland supports a wide range of student government, athletic and club programs.

The college is committed to remaining current with technology.  Highland has 275 computers in seven labs dedicated to student use.  Each student has an e-mail account and can access the Internet through the campus network. Support from district voters and donors allows the college to provide classroom equipment that is technologically state-of-the-art.  From computer-assisted classrooms to current manufacturing equipment, Highland Community College recognizes the need for students to learn with proper tools.

The college's Community and Corporate Education (CCE) division offers creative programming to meet the needs and interests of area individuals, groups, and businesses.  To achieve this goal, CCE offers credit and non-credit classes, workshops and seminars, adult basic education, workplace literacy and customized contact courses, and activities for children and senior citizens.

Highland's CCE has five major components: Adult Education, Community Education, Continuing Education, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and Workforce Development.

The Adult Education Program is composed of literacy classes, adult basic education, general education development preparation courses, English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction, career exploration, job skills classes, and workplace literacy classes.  Community Education offers non-credit and non-vocational courses designed to appeal to the general public.  Continuing Education offers both credit and non-credit courses, mostly during evening hours at extension sites throughout the college district.  Highland's Workforce Development Center, located in a convenient downtown Freeport location, provides customized training to companies throughout the district.  The center also provides a range of computer course opportunities for the public.

Students who have achieved an associate degree can complete their baccalaureate education at the Highland Community College campus thanks to Columbia College, which has its main campus in Columbia, Missouri.  Columbia conducts evening and Saturday classes that lead to four different degrees:  bachelor of science in business administration, bachelor of science in computer information systems, bachelor of arts in business administration, and bachelor of arts in individual studies.  Columbia has approximately 350 students.  The courses are scheduled in eight-week sessions, convenient for working adult students.  The faculty of Columbia College are recruited from throughout the tri-state area and bring work experience to the classroom.

Beginning in the spring of 2000, students will also be able to continue their nursing education on the community college campus.  Through the distance learning system available at Highland, Northern Illinois University will be offering a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at HCC's Freeport campus location.

A local on-site master's degree in teaching is also offered through National Lewis University at the Carl Sandburg School.  Proximity to Rockford, Illinois; Dubuque, Iowa; Beloit and Madison, Wisconsin, allows Freeport students to commute for higher education opportunities as well.  Several private liberal arts colleges and a state university are an easy commute, as well as the Northern Illinois University Rockford Education Center and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford.