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2023 Best Basic Certificate 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 37 schools in Illinois to see which basic certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Trade Basic Certificate 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 basic certificate. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 231 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,294 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Illinois. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakton Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 640 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Oakton Community College full time pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,462.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Oakton Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend William Rainey Harper College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Harper College is a public institution located in Palatine, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,494 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Harper College full time pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,754.
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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 37 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the # 4 spot on the list. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 1,378 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend College of Lake County full time pay an average of $9,842 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,118.
College of Lake County 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 78% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Kaskaskia College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This small public school is located in Centralia, Illinois, and it awarded 251 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kaskaskia College is $7,530. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,330.
One thing to take note of is that Kaskaskia College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 695 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Illinois Valley Community College is a small public school located in Oglesby, Illinois that handed out 329 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $13,169 in tuition and fees if they attend IVCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,314.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at IVCC. In 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Morton College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Cicero, Illinois, and it awarded 89 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,852 in tuition and fees if they attend Morton College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,900.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Morton 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.
South Suburban College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in South Holland, Illinois, the small public school handed out 161 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend SSC full time pay an average of $11,033 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,683.
One thing to take note of is that SSC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 46% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Highland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Highland Community College is a public institution located in Freeport, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 234 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Highland Community College is $6,904. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,048.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Highland Community College. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Sugar Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 485 students 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.
One thing to take note of is that Waubonsee does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Joliet Junior College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,163 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $12,750 in tuition and fees if they attend Joliet Junior College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,800.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Joliet Junior 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.
John A Logan College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Carterville, Illinois, the small public school handed out 150 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,990 in tuition and fees if they attend John A Logan College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,370.
Some students may be able to take online classes at John A Logan College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #14, Kishwaukee College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Malta, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 205 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,390 in tuition and fees if they attend Kishwaukee College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,800.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kishwaukee College. 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.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Lincoln Land Community College is a small public school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 656 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees if they attend LLCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,068.
LLCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Sauk Valley Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Dixon, Illinois, the small public school handed out 264 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Sauk Valley Community College is $11,580. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,840.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Sauk Valley Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #17, Rock Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Rock Valley College is a public institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 429 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Rock Valley College is $10,484. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,384.
One thing to take note of is that Rock Valley College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Parkland College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 475 basic certificate awards 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.
One thing to take note of is that Parkland College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #19, Prairie State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Chicago Heights, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 292 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Prairie State College is $9,342. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,064.
One thing to take note of is that Prairie State College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Moraine Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 2,781 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MVCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,630.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MVCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Lake Land College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, the small public school awarded 836 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,104 in tuition and fees if they attend Lake Land College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,905.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Lake Land College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kankakee Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Kankakee Community College is located in Kankakee, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 268 basic certificates to qualified students.
Students from Illinois who attend Kankakee Community College full time pay an average of $13,200 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,560.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kankakee Community College. In 2020-2021 about 36% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #23, Elgin Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Elgin, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 576 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ECC is $7,140. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,516.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ECC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. This small public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 216 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Kennedy-King College. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College
Illinois Central College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in East Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 881 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
ICC 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 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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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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