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.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Elgin Community College the best value school in Illinois for trade school students working on their associate degree. ECC is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,091 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ECC are $9,516 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,366 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that ECC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 37 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s value ranking, Rock Valley College landed the # 2 spot on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rock Valley College are $20,384 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school 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. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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.
The excellent associate degree programs at Rend Lake College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Illinois. Located in Ina, Illinois, the small public school awarded 462 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rend Lake College are $7,200 a 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. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small public school awarded 786 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LLCC are $10,068 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,700 in student loans.
LLCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 37 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s value ranking, Carl Sandburg College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, the small public school handed out 306 associate degree awards 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.
Carl Sandburg College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
William Rainey Harper College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Harper College is a fairly large public school situated in Palatine, Illinois. It awarded 1,920 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Harper College are $11,754 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,214 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Harper College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Harper College also took the #5 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois rankings.
Kaskaskia College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Kaskaskia College is a small public school located in Centralia, Illinois that handed out 366 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kaskaskia College are $12,330 per year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kaskaskia College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Oakton 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 #8 on the list. 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.
Oakton Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $12,462 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,638 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Oakton Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
Oakton Community College also took the #3 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois rankings.
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. BHC is a small public school situated in Moline, Illinois. It awarded 455 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BHC are $8,100 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,219 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
BHC 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 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #10, Southwestern Illinois College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Belleville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,100 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SWIC are $6,210 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $7,566 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SWIC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,089 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MVCC are $9,630 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,220 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that MVCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lake Land College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lake Land College. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Highland Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Freeport, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 245 students in 2021-2022.
Highland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,048 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,122 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Highland Community College. 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. Located in East Peoria, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 988 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
ICC undergraduate students pay an average of $11,336 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,443 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ICC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
John A Logan College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. John A Logan College is a small public school located in Carterville, Illinois that handed out 437 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at John A Logan College are $7,370 per year.
Online courses are available at John A Logan College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. 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.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Illinois are $14,294 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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 ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Decatur, Illinois, the small public school awarded 292 diplomas to qualifed associate degree 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.
Online courses are available at Richland Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #18, College of Lake County did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 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. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Danville Area Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Danville Area Community College is a small public school located in Danville, Illinois that handed out 256 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DACC are $8,650 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,756 in student loans.
DACC 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 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Triton College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in River Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 944 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Triton College are $14,430 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,572 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Triton College, 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 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Triton College also is in the top 20% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking.
DeVry University - Illinois landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Naperville, Illinois. It awarded 1,611 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
DeVry University - Illinois undergraduate students pay an average of $15,032 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $29,129 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 DeVry University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
DeVry University - Illinois also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list, coming in at #2.
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. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 994 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Waubonsee undergraduate students pay an average of $11,496 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school 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.
With a ranking of #23, Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Lewis and Clark Community College is a public institution located in Godfrey, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 608 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lewis and Clark Community College are $12,552 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,734 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Lewis and Clark Community College. In 2020-2021 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Suburban College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. SSC is a small public school situated in South Holland, Illinois. It awarded 304 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SSC are $12,683 per year.
SSC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
National Louis University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. 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.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NLU are $14,244 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,165 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NLU. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
NLU not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list.
View Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
More Illinois Rankings
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.