2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois
Today's trade school students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 37 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Rasmussen University - Illinois the best school in Illinois for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 950 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $14,294. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend DeVry University - Illinois. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,611 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,032 to cover tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $29,129 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that DeVry University - Illinois does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Oakton Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Illinois. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 691 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Oakton Community College full time pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,462. Associate Degree recipients from Oakton Community College accumulate an average of $7,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Oakton Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means National Louis University is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. NLU is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 50 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend NLU, expect to pay an average of $14,244 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from NLU accumulate an average of $13,165 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NLU. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 37 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, William Rainey Harper College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,920 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Harper College is $9,942. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,754. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,214 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Harper College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Rock Valley College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,051 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Rock Valley College is $10,484. Out-of-state students pay an average of $20,384. On average, associate degree students take out $10,885 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rock Valley College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Triton College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in River Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 944 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Triton College full time pay an average of $11,490 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,430. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,572 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Triton College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 73 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at SIUC is $15,416. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
Online courses are available at SIUC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Illinois Central College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Illinois Central College is a medium-sized public school located in East Peoria, Illinois that handed out 988 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,443 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ICC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Joliet Junior College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Joliet Junior College full time pay an average of $12,750 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,800. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,692 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Joliet Junior College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
South Suburban College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. SSC is located in South Holland, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 304 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Illinois who attend SSC full time pay an average of $11,033 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,683.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SSC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
College of Lake County landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,588 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend College of Lake County full time pay an average of $9,842 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,118. On average, associate degree students take out $10,385 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at College of Lake County, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #13, Carl Sandburg College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Carl Sandburg College is a small public school located in Galesburg, Illinois that handed out 306 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,860 in tuition and fees if they attend Carl Sandburg College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,760. On average, associate degree students take out $5,479 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Carl Sandburg College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 688 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,367 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Malcolm X College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
Parkland College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 753 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Parkland College is $11,580. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,930. Associate Degree recipients from Parkland College accumulate an average of $9,935 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Parkland College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Elgin Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Elgin, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,091 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees if they attend ECC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,516. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,366 in student loans.
ECC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Richland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Richland Community College is a small public school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 292 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Richland Community College full time pay an average of $10,800 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,070. On average, associate degree students take out $8,385 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Richland Community College. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,089 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend MVCC full time pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,630. On average, associate degree students take out $12,220 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at MVCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kankakee Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Kankakee Community College is located in Kankakee, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 299 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kankakee Community College is $13,200. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $25,560. On average, associate degree students take out $14,543 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kankakee Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 36% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lake Land College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, the small public school handed out 754 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Lake Land College full time pay an average of $8,104 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,905. Associate Degree recipients from Lake Land College accumulate an average of $7,042 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Lake Land College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
Kaskaskia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Centralia, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 366 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Kaskaskia College full time pay an average of $7,530 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,330.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kaskaskia College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Black Hawk College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Moline, Illinois, the small public school awarded 455 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $9,219 in loans while pursuing their degree.
BHC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
McHenry County College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It awarded 777 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $11,341 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,692. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,857 in student loans.
MCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 38% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, Danville Area Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. DACC is located in Danville, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 256 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend DACC, expect to pay an average of $8,650 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from DACC accumulate an average of $7,756 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DACC. In 2020-2021 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Waubonsee is a public institution located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 994 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,626 in tuition and fees if they attend Waubonsee full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,496. Associate Degree recipients from Waubonsee accumulate an average of $8,891 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Waubonsee does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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