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2026 Best Trade Schools in Illinois
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Illinois? This list ranks 240 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed 188 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in Illinois
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of St Francis tops our 2026 ranking of the best Trade degree schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Joliet, IL. University Of St Francis posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of St Francis
Out of the 188 schools in Illinois in this year's ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Trade student debt is $16,616. Get the full Northwestern University report
Out of the 188 schools in Illinois in this year's ranking, Concordia University Chicago landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Concordia University Chicago Trade students take on a median of $26,956 in debt. Get the full Concordia University Chicago report
Out of the 188 schools in Illinois in this year's ranking, Devry University Illinois landed the #4 spot. Based in Lisle, IL, Devry University Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Devry University Illinois posts a six-year graduation rate of 18%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Devry University Illinois Trade students take on a median of $43,684 in debt. Read more about Devry University Illinois
A rank of #5 makes Rasmussen College Illinois one of the top choices in Illinois. This private for-profit school is set in Rockford, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $16,581. The median Trade program debt is $28,798. See the full Rasmussen College Illinois profile
Oakton Community College landed the #6 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Des Plaines, IL, Oakton Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Oakton Community College profile
Illinois State University placed #7 among Trade schools in Illinois. This public school is set in Normal, IL. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. The median Trade program debt is $21,896. More on Illinois State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among Trade schools in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $20,778. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
National Louis University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. National Louis University Trade students take on a median of $29,242 in debt. Read the full report on National Louis University
College Of Lake County did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Grayslake, IL, College Of Lake County is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical Trade student debt is $9,785. More on College Of Lake County
Northern Illinois University placed #11 among Trade schools in Illinois. Northern Illinois University is a public school based in Dekalb, IL. Northern Illinois University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,060. Typical Trade student debt is $25,209. More on Northern Illinois University
Harper College landed the #12 spot in Illinois this year. This public school is set in Palatine, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. The median Trade program debt is $10,963. More on Harper College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
Roosevelt University placed #14 among Trade schools in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Roosevelt University Trade students take on a median of $23,879 in debt. Get the full Roosevelt University report
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #15 in this year's ranking. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Illinois At Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete their Trade program here. See the full University Of Illinois At Chicago profile
North Park University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Chicago, IL, North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. North Park University Trade students take on a median of $27,360 in debt. See the full North Park University profile
Western Illinois University landed the #17 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,572. Typical Trade student debt is $27,639. See the full Western Illinois University profile
Rock Valley College placed #19 among Trade schools in Illinois. Based in Rockford, IL, Rock Valley College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Rock Valley College Trade students take on a median of $9,236 in debt. Get the full Rock Valley College report
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,272 to complete their Trade program here. More on City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Lewis University placed #21 among Trade schools in Illinois. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Romeoville, IL. Lewis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,200. Graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Get the full Lewis University report
Kaskaskia College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Centralia, IL, Kaskaskia College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical Trade student debt is $7,875. See the full Kaskaskia College profile
Depaul University landed the #23 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,405. Depaul University Trade students take on a median of $25,310 in debt. Read more about Depaul University
Morton College landed the #24 spot in Illinois this year. This public school is set in Cicero, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,884 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,028. Morton College Trade students take on a median of $7,734 in debt. Read more about Morton College
Joliet Junior College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Joliet, IL, Joliet Junior College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. The median Trade program debt is $11,995. More on Joliet Junior College
North Central College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. North Central College is a private not-for-profit school based in Naperville, IL. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,726. North Central College Trade students take on a median of $25,699 in debt. Read more about North Central College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in Illinois
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
South Suburban College did well this year, earning the #27 position. South Suburban College is a public school based in South Holland, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Read more about South Suburban College
Black Hawk College did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Moline, IL, Black Hawk College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Black Hawk College Trade students take on a median of $11,340 in debt. Read the full report on Black Hawk College
Highland Community College Freeport came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Freeport, IL, Highland Community College Freeport is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Highland Community College Freeport report
Illinois Valley Community College placed #30 among Trade schools in Illinois. Illinois Valley Community College is a public school based in Oglesby, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Illinois Valley Community College
Waubonsee Community College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Sugar Grove, IL, Waubonsee Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Waubonsee Community College Trade students take on a median of $9,939 in debt. See the full Waubonsee Community College profile
Eastern Illinois University landed the #32 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Eastern Illinois University
Sauk Valley Community College placed #33 among Trade schools in Illinois. Sauk Valley Community College is a public school based in Dixon, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, compared with $12,900 for out-of-state students. Sauk Valley Community College Trade students take on a median of $12,811 in debt. Read the full report on Sauk Valley Community College
Lake Land College placed #34 among Trade schools in Illinois. Lake Land College is a public school based in Mattoon, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Lake Land College Trade students take on a median of $7,769 in debt. Read the full report on Lake Land College
Illinois Central College landed the #35 spot in Illinois this year. This public school is set in East Peoria, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Typical Trade student debt is $12,222. Read more about Illinois Central College
Lincoln Land Community College placed #36 among Trade schools in Illinois. Set in Springfield, IL, Lincoln Land Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Read more about Lincoln Land Community College
Parkland College placed #37 among Trade schools in Illinois. Set in Champaign, IL, Parkland College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. See the full Parkland College profile
Kishwaukee College landed the #38 spot in Illinois this year. Kishwaukee College is a public school based in Malta, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $10,328. Read the full report on Kishwaukee College
Elgin Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Elgin Community College is a public school based in Elgin, IL. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Read more about Elgin Community College
Prairie State College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Chicago Heights, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. More on Prairie State College
Carl Sandburg College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Galesburg, IL, Carl Sandburg College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Carl Sandburg College Trade students take on a median of $8,604 in debt. More on Carl Sandburg College
Benedictine University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Based in Lisle, IL, Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Benedictine University profile
Moraine Valley Community College placed #43 among Trade schools in Illinois. Set in Palos Hills, IL, Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical Trade student debt is $11,149. Read more about Moraine Valley Community College
John A Logan College landed the #44 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Carterville, IL, John A Logan College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Typical Trade student debt is $10,479. More on John A Logan College
Kankakee Community College landed the #45 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Kankakee, IL, Kankakee Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Kankakee Community College Trade students take on a median of $13,289 in debt. Read more about Kankakee Community College
Richland Community College landed the #46 spot in Illinois this year. Richland Community College is a public school based in Decatur, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $9,562. See the full Richland Community College profile
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Olney, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,260, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Read more about Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College
Triton College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Based in River Grove, IL, Triton College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Triton College report
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Get the full Lewis And Clark Community College report
Chicago State University landed the #50 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Chicago, IL, Chicago State University is a public institution. Roughly 16% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical Trade student debt is $43,322. See the full Chicago State University profile
Rend Lake College did well this year, earning the #51 position. Located in Ina, IL, Rend Lake College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Rend Lake College Trade students take on a median of $8,688 in debt. Read the full report on Rend Lake College
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 188 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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