HCC Data

See the Institutional Research department and HCC Factbook for some data on Hillsborough Community College. Some data related to teaching and student success are below.

HCC Student Profile

HCC has 43,164 students, 68.8% of whom are part-time students, and 31.2% full-time. 60% of students are taking at least one online course, 40% face-to-face.

Demographic characteristics of students are depicted in the following charts.

Other Student Characteristics

• 22.2% Dual enrolled
• 46.7% AA degree seeking
• 16.5% AS degree seeking
• 24.2% Non-traditional (>24 years old)
• 16.5% First generation
• 2.2% Veterans

HCC Student Retention

According to HCC’s Key Performance Indicators, HCC loses about 38% of students after the first fall semester, and 55% of students after one year.

The percentage of students who complete an AA degree is 41%, and AS is 35%.

National Data on Student Retention

Nationally, a 2024 report found that 80% of incoming community college students intend to transfer to a university and obtain a bachelors degree; however, only 16% succeed in doing so.

Low-income (11%), older (6%), Black (9%), and Hispanic (13%) students transfer and complete bachelor’s degrees at even lower rates than community college students overall (16%).

Another national study (Talking About Leaving Revisited) looked at why STEM major students in particular are not persisting and graduating.

The most common complaints, both from those who dropped out of a STEM track (switchers) and those who eventually received a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (persisters) were

• • Poor quality of STEM Teaching, 96% of switchers and 72% of persisters
  • Difficult transition to college, 89% of switchers and 57% of persisters
  • Competitive, unsupportive STEM culture, 81% of switchers, 42% of persisters
  • Low grades in early years, 79% of switchers, 44% of persisters
  • Inadequate high school preparation in subject and study skills, 64% of switchers, 34% of persisters

National Data on Community Colleges

For national data on community colleges, see these Community College FAQs and AACC Fast Facts.