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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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 Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 37 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Elgin Community College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Illinois. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,091 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ECC are $9,516 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,366 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ECC. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rock Valley College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rock Valley College is a medium-sized public school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Rock Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $20,384 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,885 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rock Valley College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Rock Valley College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Rend Lake College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Ina, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 462 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rend Lake College are $7,200 per year.
Rend Lake 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Lincoln Land Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Illinois. LLCC is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 786 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LLCC are $10,068 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,700 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LLCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Carl Sandburg College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 306 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Carl Sandburg College are $8,760 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $5,479 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Carl Sandburg College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
William Rainey Harper College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 1,920 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Harper College are $11,754 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,214 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Harper College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Harper College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list.
With a ranking of #7, Kaskaskia College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Kaskaskia College is located in Centralia, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 366 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kaskaskia College are $12,330 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kaskaskia College. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Oakton Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Des Plaines, Illinois that handed out 691 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Oakton Community College are $12,462 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $7,638 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Oakton Community College is ranked #3 for overall quality in Illinois.
Black Hawk College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Moline, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 455 students in 2021-2022.
BHC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,100 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,219 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BHC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. SWIC is located in Belleville, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,100 associate degrees to qualified students.
SWIC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,210 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $7,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
SWIC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Moraine Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. MVCC is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,089 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
MVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,630 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,220 in student debt by the time they complete 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. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lake Land College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, the small public school handed out 754 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Lake Land College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,905 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $7,042 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Lake Land 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, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Highland Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Highland Community College is a small public school situated in Freeport, Illinois. It awarded 245 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Highland Community College are $7,048 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,122 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Highland Community 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 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Illinois Central College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. ICC is a public institution located in East Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 988 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ICC are $11,336 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,443 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
ICC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
John A Logan College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. John A Logan College is a public institution located in Carterville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 437 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
John A Logan College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,370 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at John A Logan College. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Illinois ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. 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 undergraduate students pay an average of $14,294 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Illinois did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list.
Richland Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. 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.
Richland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $17,070 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Richland Community College. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. This fairly large public school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 1,588 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at College of Lake County are $13,118 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,385 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students 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 #19, Danville Area Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Danville, Illinois, and it awarded 256 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DACC are $8,650 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $7,756 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 DACC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Triton College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in River Grove, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 944 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Triton College undergraduate students pay an average of $14,430 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,572 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Triton College. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Triton College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
DeVry University - Illinois ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Naperville, Illinois. It awarded 1,611 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DeVry University - Illinois are $15,032 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $29,129 in loans while pursuing their degree.
DeVry University - Illinois 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 2020-2021 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, DeVry University - Illinois is ranked #2 for overall quality in Illinois.
With a ranking of #22, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Waubonsee is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 994 associate degrees to qualified students.
Waubonsee undergraduate students pay an average of $11,496 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $8,891 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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.
Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Lewis and Clark Community College is located in Godfrey, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 608 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lewis and Clark Community College are $12,552 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $7,734 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Lewis and Clark Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
South Suburban College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in South Holland, Illinois, the small public school handed out 304 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
SSC undergraduate students pay an average of $12,683 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that SSC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #25, National Louis University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 50 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NLU are $14,244 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,165 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that NLU does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
NLU also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list, coming in at #4.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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