Heartland Community College | Normal

Heartland Community College (HCC) is a public, two-year community college located in Normal, Illinois, serving primarily the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Established in 1990, HCC offers a variety of academic and vocational programs designed to provide affordable, accessible education to students seeking associate degrees, certificates, or transfer opportunities to four-year universities.

Campus and Facilities

The main campus of Heartland Community College is situated on a 270-acre site at 1500 West Raab Road in Normal. The campus is modern and well-equipped, featuring several specialized facilities:

Workforce Development Center (WDC): This building is LEED-certified for its environmentally friendly design and houses technology-focused classrooms and labs aimed at workforce training and career readiness.

Astroth Community Education Center (ACEC): This center includes a 400-seat auditorium used for performances, lectures, and community events. It also hosts the Challenger Learning Center, a unique space-themed educational facility that promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning through interactive simulations related to space exploration.

Fitness and Recreation Center (FRC): The FRC offers students access to a gymnasium, aerobics studio, walking track, and athletic department offices. It supports student fitness and intramural sports activities.

Child Development Lab (CDL): This on-campus lab school provides childcare for children from six weeks to five years old, allowing students pursuing early childhood education degrees to gain practical, hands-on experience.

In addition to the main campus, Heartland operates additional campuses in Lincoln and Pontiac, Illinois, expanding its reach within the region.

Transportation to and from the college is facilitated by Connect Transit, with the Yellow bus route providing service connecting the campus, uptown Normal, and other local points of interest.

Academic Programs

Heartland Community College offers over 40 programs of study, catering to a broad range of interests and career goals. Programs include associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways. Key fields of study include:

Health Sciences: Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography

Technology and Engineering: Electric Vehicle Energy Storage, Industrial Technology

Agriculture: Programs focused on modern agricultural practices and technologies

General Education: Transfer programs designed to enable students to complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree before transferring to a four-year university

The college maintains transfer agreements with many four-year institutions to ensure students can smoothly continue their education toward bachelor's degrees. These articulation agreements guarantee that credits earned at Heartland will be recognized by partner universities.

Student Body and Diversity

As of Fall 2022, Heartland Community College enrolled approximately 4,774 students. The student population is diverse, with the following demographic breakdown:

71% White

10% Black or African American

9% Hispanic or Latino

5% Two or more races

3% Asian

The gender distribution is approximately 42% male and 58% female.

Athletics

The college's athletic teams are known as the Hawks and compete in the NJCAA Mid-West Athletic Conference. Sports offered include:

Cross-country

Baseball

Softball

Soccer

Heartland’s teams play at facilities such as The Corn Crib, a 7,000-seat stadium located on campus, which hosts baseball, softball, and soccer games.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the 2024–2025 academic year, tuition and fees are structured as follows:

In-district students: $10,080 per year

In-state (out-of-district) students: $10,440 per year

Out-of-state students: $12,600 per year

Additional fees total approximately $510. For students living at home, estimated costs for board and transportation are around $6,310.

Financial aid options are available and include federal and state grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Approximately 61% of students receive some form of financial assistance, helping to reduce the cost of attendance.

Heartland Community College combines comprehensive academic programs with modern facilities and community-oriented services to support student success and regional workforce development. It is a key educational institution for those seeking affordable, high-quality two-year college education in central Illinois.