Pennsylvania Highlands is the region’s premier two-year college. The tuition and fees below begin with the Fall 2026 semester (August). Penn Highlands offers a variety of options for students to pay their tuition and fees. For past tuition and fees, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Tuition and Fees (2026-2027 Per Credit)
| Total Tuition and Fees Per Credit* | |
|---|---|
| Cambria County Residents ^ | $248 |
| Cambria County Smart Start Promise Program ^^ | $0 |
| Somerset County Residents ^^^ | $313 |
| Other Pennsylvania Residents ^^^^ | $348 |
| Out-of-State | $488 |
| Military Personnel & Families ^^^^^ | $248 |
| Accelerated College Education “Dual Credit” (ACE) | $73 |
| Summer Session Developmental Courses | $73 |
| Course Audit** | $50 |
| Senior Course Audit*** | $25 |
^ Residents of Cambria County receive a reduced tuition rate of approximately 30% because Cambria County is a local sponsor of the College and provides financial support through a county tax appropriation. Applicants must meet the requirements of the College’s Student Residency Requirements Policy.
^^ High school graduates from Cambria County schools in 2026, 2027, and 2028 may be eligible for the Smart Start Promise Program, under which eligible students pay $0 in tuition and comprehensive fees for their first academic year after high school graduation. See the Smart Start webpage for eligibility and requirements.
^^^ A reduced tuition rate for Somerset County residents of approximately 10% is made possible through the Regional Community College Grant filed by the Somerset County Commissioners on behalf of the partners of the Somerset County Education and Workforce Development Center. Applicants must meet the requirements of the College’s Student Residency Requirements Policy.
^^^^ Residents of non‑sponsoring counties pay a higher tuition rate because their counties do not provide local financial support for the College. Applicants must meet the requirements of the College’s Student Residency Requirements Policy.
^^^^^ Eligible active-duty military personnel, veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and their dependents qualify for in-county tuition rates, regardless of where they live.
* Total price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. However, this cost does not include individual class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies. See the Other Class/Lab Fees table below for additional information.Â
** If space is available, individuals may enroll in for-credit courses without receiving grades or credits. Individuals who audit classes will be charged $50 per credit plus any additional course fees.
*** If space is available, Pennsylvania residents who are 62 years or older may audit for-credit courses at a reduced rate. Senior citizens will be charged $25 per credit plus any additional course fees.Â
Other Class/Lab Fees
Total Laboratory Fee (per course) $10-$500 *includED® Course Materials Fee (per course) up to $150 Prior Learning Assessment Fee $150 Late Registration Fee $50 ACE Late Registration Fee $25 Course Audit (per credit) $50 Senior Course Audit (per credit; 55 & older) $25 Returned Check/Re-Issue Check Fee $25 Payment Plan Fee $25 Payment Plan Late Fee $10 Duplicate Diploma $10 ID Replacement $5 - *: includED® Course Materials Fee covers the cost of digital course materials at a discounted cost for a select list of courses.
Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA)
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the estimated budgets reflect the costs for students enrolled full-time throughout the year. Medical students are advised to allocate an additional $1,500 for supplies to account for higher expenses. Furthermore, those receiving loans should budget an extra $50 to cover loan servicing fees.
- Off-Campus: Living in your own home.
- Off-Campus w/Parent: Living at home with parents or being provided room and board without charge.
Cambria County Residents - COA
Cambria County Residents Off-Campus Off-Campus w/Parent Tuition $3,000 $3,000 Fees $4,400 $4,400 Books & Supplies $2,000 $2,000 Transportation $1,800 $1,800 Personal Expenses $500 $500 Living Expenses $6,000 $2,250 Total $17,740 $13,990 Somerset County Residents - COA
Somerset County Residents Off-Campus Off-Campus w/Parent Tuition $4,950 $4,950 Fees $4,440 $4,440 Books & Supplies $2,000 $2,000 Transportation $1,800 $1,800 Personal Expenses $500 $500 Living Expenses $6,000 $2,250 Total $19,690 $15,940 Other County Residents - COA
Other County Residents Off-Campus Off-Campus w/Parent Tuition $6,000 $6,000 Fees $4,440 $4,440 Books & Supplies $2,000 $2,000 Transportation $1,800 $1,800 Personal Expenses $500 $500 Living Expenses $6,000 $2,250 Total $20,840 $17,090 Out of State Residents - COA
Out of State Residents Off-Campus Off-Campus w/Parent Tuition $9,000 $9,000 Fees $5,640 $5,640 Books & Supplies $2,000 $2,000 Transportation $1,800 $1,800 Personal Expenses $500 $500 Living Expenses $6,000 $2,250 Total $25,040 $21,290
The College’s Board of Trustees establishes tuition and fees for each academic year beginning with the fall semester and based upon residency. Additional charges may apply for specific courses or programs.
All charges are due in full by the tuition due date unless other arrangements have been made with the Student Accounts Office. If you plan to change your registration, check the refund schedule or contact the Student Accounts Office to see how your billing will be affected.
If you have been awarded financial aid, you should also meet with someone from the Financial Aid Office to see how changes in your registration will affect your financial aid award. Accounts of graduating students must be paid in full prior to the release of diplomas.
Breakdown of Per Credit Tuition & Fees
The table below is a full breakdown of the per-credit tuition and fees referenced above.
Tuition Comprehensive Fee Total* Cambria County Residents $100 $148 $248 Somerset County Residents $165 $148 $313 Other Pennsylvania Residents $200 $148 $348 Out-of-State $300 $188 $488 Accelerated College Education (ACE) $73 $0 $73 Summer Session Developmental $73 $0 $73 Course Audit** $50 $0 $50 Senior Citizen Course Audit*** $25 $0 $25 *Â Total price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. However, this cost does not include individual class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies. See the Other Class/Lab Fees table for additional information.Â
** If space is available, individuals may enroll in for-credit courses without receiving grades or credits. Individuals who audit classes will be charged $50 per credit plus any additional course fees. Â
*** If space is available, Pennsylvania residents who are 62 years or older may audit for-credit courses at a reduced rate. Senior citizens will be charged $25 per credit plus any additional course fees.Â
Tuition: Tuition is the charge assessed to students for enrollment in credit-bearing courses and supports faculty instruction, academic program costs, curriculum development, and direct instructional costs associated with earning academic credit while also contributing to the broader academic operations of the College.
Comprehensive Fee: The Comprehensive Fee is a mandatory, non-tuition charge assessed to students in credit-bearing courses and consolidates costs associated with campus infrastructure, capital projects, deferred maintenance, student services, campus safety, administrative functions, and other nonacademic supports necessary to sustain a safe, functional, and student-centered learning environment that collectively supports the College’s mission and operations. Additional comprehensive fees are assessed to out-of-state students to offset infrastructure and capital costs typically supported through state and local funding tax contributions made by Pennsylvania residents. Â
Tuition & Fees From Previous Years
Tuition and Fees (2025-2026 Per Credit)
The tuition and fees below applied to the 2025-2026 academic year, from the Fall 2025 semester (August) through the Summer 2026 semester (May/July). Go to the top of this page for our current Tuition and Fees.
Total Tuition and Fees Per Credit* Cambria County Residents $244 Somerset County Residents $319 Other Pennsylvania Residents $327 Out-of-State $458 Accelerated College Education (ACE) $71 Summer Session Developmental Courses $71 Course Audit** $50 Senior Course Audit*** $25 * Total price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. However, this cost does not include individual class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies.
** If space is available, individuals may enroll in for-credit courses without receiving grades or credits. Individuals who audit classes will be charged $50 per credit plus any additional course fees. Â
*** If space is available, Pennsylvania residents who are 62 years or older may audit for-credit courses at a reduced rate. Senior citizens will be charged $25 per credit plus any additional course fees.Â
Tuition and Fees (2024-2025 Per Credit)
The below tuition and fees applied to the 2024-2025 academic year, from the Fall 2024 semester (August) through the Summer 2025 semester (May/July). Go to the top of this page for our current Tuition and Fees.
Total Tuition and Fees Per Credit* Cambria County Residents $237 Somerset County Residents $310 Other Pennsylvania Residents $318 Out-of-State $445 Accelerated College Education (ACE) $69 Summer Session Developmental Courses $69 Course Audit** $50 Senior Course Audit*** $25 * Total price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. However, this cost does not include individual class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies.
** If space is available, individuals may enroll in for-credit courses without receiving grades or credits. Individuals who audit classes will be charged $50 per credit plus any additional course fees. Â
*** If space is available, Pennsylvania residents who are 62 years or older may audit for-credit courses at a reduced rate. Senior citizens will be charged $25 per credit plus any additional course fees.Â
Tuition and Fees (2023-2024 Per Credit)
The below tuition and fees applied to the 2023-2024 academic year, from the Fall 2023 semester (August) through the Summer 2024 semester (May/July). Go to the top of this page for our current Tuition and Fees.
Total Tuition and Fees Per Credit* Cambria County Residents $233 Somerset County Residents $304 Other Pennsylvania Residents $312 Out-of-State $436 Accelerated College Education (ACE) $68 Summer Session Developmental Courses $68 Course Audit** $50 Senior Course Audit*** $25 * Total price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. However, this cost does not include individual class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies.
** If space is available, individuals may enroll in for-credit courses without receiving grades or credits. Individuals who audit classes will be charged $50 per credit plus any additional course fees. Â
*** If space is available, Pennsylvania residents who are 62 years or older may audit for-credit courses at a reduced rate. Senior citizens will be charged $25 per credit plus any additional course fees.Â
Student Accounts Office
814.262.6437 | 1.888.385.7325 (PEAK)
Email the Student Accounts Office