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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 analysis found Rasmussen University - Illinois to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Illinois. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 950 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois, expect to pay an average of $14,294 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
The excellent associate degree programs at DeVry University - Illinois helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Illinois. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school located in Naperville, Illinois that handed out 1,611 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois is $15,032. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $29,129 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at DeVry University - Illinois, 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 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Des Plaines, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 691 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees if they attend Oakton Community College full time. 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Oakton Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend National Louis University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. National Louis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 50 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NLU. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means William Rainey Harper College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Palatine, Illinois, and it awarded 1,920 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Harper College full time pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Harper 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. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rock Valley 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 #6 on the list. Rock Valley College is a medium-sized public school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Rock Valley College full time pay an average of $10,484 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $20,384. Associate Degree recipients from Rock Valley College accumulate an average of $10,885 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rock Valley College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,430. Associate Degree recipients from Triton College accumulate an average of $11,572 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Triton 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. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale 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 #8 on the list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 73 associate degree awards 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.
SIUC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 46% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Illinois Central College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in East Peoria, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 988 associate degree awards 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. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #10, Joliet Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 1,391 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Joliet Junior College is $12,750. Out-of-state students 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.
Joliet Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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. Located in South Holland, Illinois, the small public school awarded 304 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $11,033 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SSC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,683.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SSC. In fact, around 46% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,588 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Illinois who attend College of Lake County full time pay an average of $9,842 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,118. On average, associate degree students take out $10,385 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at College of Lake County. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, the small public school awarded 306 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $7,860 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Carl Sandburg College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,760. On average, associate degree students take out $5,479 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Carl Sandburg College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 688 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Malcolm X College accumulate an average of $10,367 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Malcolm X College. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Parkland College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Parkland College is located in Champaign, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 753 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees if they attend Parkland College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,930. On average, associate degree students take out $9,935 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Parkland College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Elgin Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. ECC is a medium-sized public school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 1,091 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ECC is $7,140. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,516. Associate Degree recipients from ECC accumulate an average of $8,366 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
ECC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #17, Richland Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Decatur, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 292 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,800 in tuition and fees if they attend Richland Community College full time. 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.
Richland Community 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. MVCC is a fairly large public school situated in Palos Hills, Illinois. It awarded 2,089 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend MVCC full time pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,630. Associate Degree recipients from MVCC accumulate an average of $12,220 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
MVCC 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kankakee Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Kankakee Community College is a small public school located in Kankakee, Illinois that handed out 299 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Kankakee Community College full time pay an average of $13,200 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $25,560. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,543 in student loans.
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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 36% took at least some of their classes online.
Lake Land College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Mattoon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 754 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $8,104 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lake Land College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,905. On average, associate degree students take out $7,042 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lake Land College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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. Kaskaskia College is a small public school located in Centralia, Illinois that handed out 366 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kaskaskia College is $7,530. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,330.
Kaskaskia 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 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Black Hawk 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 #22 on the list. BHC is located in Moline, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 455 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $9,219 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BHC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
McHenry County College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. McHenry County College is a medium-sized public school located in Crystal Lake, Illinois that handed out 777 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MCC is $11,341. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,692. Associate Degree recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $7,857 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 38% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Danville Area Community College is a small public school located in Danville, Illinois that handed out 256 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
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.
One thing to take note of is that DACC does offer online classes in some areas. 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. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 994 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,626 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Waubonsee. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,496. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,891 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Waubonsee. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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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