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Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

59 Schools Ranked
$12,119 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$33,857 Avg Student Debt*

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 Value Trade School Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 59 schools in Illinois to see which programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

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.

Top Value Trade Schools in Illinois

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

John A Logan College

Carterville, Illinois
720 Total Awards
$7,370 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found John A Logan College to be the best value school for trade school students in Illinois. This small public school is located in Carterville, Illinois, and it awarded 720 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at John A Logan College are $7,370 per year.

Full John A Logan College Report

#2

Kaskaskia College

Centralia, Illinois
842 Total Awards
$12,330 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Kaskaskia College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade schools in Illinois. Kaskaskia College is a small public school located in Centralia, Illinois that handed out 842 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Kaskaskia College are $12,330 a year.

Full Kaskaskia College Report

#3

Highland Community College

Freeport, Illinois
602 Total Awards
$7,048 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Highland Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade schools in Illinois. This small public school is located in Freeport, Illinois, and it awarded 602 degrees in 2021-2022.

Highland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,048 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Highland Community College Report

#4

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
1,623 Total Awards
$10,068 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Lincoln Land Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade schools in Illinois. This small public school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 1,623 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LLCC are $10,068 a year.

Read More…

#5

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
4,149 Total Awards
$13,118 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at College of Lake County helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade schools in Illinois. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 4,149 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of Lake County are $13,118 per year.

College of Lake County excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in Illinois list.

Full College of Lake County Report

#6

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
1,875 Total Awards
$12,462 Average Tuition & Fees

Oakton Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,875 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Oakton Community College are $12,462 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Oakton Community College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in Illinois list.

Read More…

#7

Rend Lake College

Ina, Illinois
1,245 Total Awards
$7,200 Average Tuition & Fees

Rend Lake College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois list. Rend Lake College is a small public school located in Ina, Illinois that handed out 1,245 degrees in 2021-2022.

Rend Lake College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,200 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Rend Lake College Report

#8

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
4,419 Total Awards
$11,754 Average Tuition & Fees

William Rainey Harper College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large public school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 4,419 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Harper College are $11,754 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Harper College also is in the top 20% of our Best Trade Schools in Illinois ranking.

Read full report on William Rainey Harper College

#9

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
848 Total Awards
$8,100 Average Tuition & Fees

Black Hawk College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #9 on the list. BHC is a public institution located in Moline, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 848 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BHC are $8,100 per year.

Full Black Hawk College Report

#10

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois
2,201 Total Awards
$9,516 Average Tuition & Fees

Elgin Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois list. ECC is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,201 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ECC are $9,516 per year.

Read More…

#11

Rock Valley College

Rockford, Illinois
1,630 Total Awards
$20,384 Average Tuition & Fees

Rock Valley College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 1,630 degrees in 2021-2022.

Rock Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $20,384 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Rock Valley College Report

#12

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois
2,480 Total Awards
$6,210 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Belleville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,480 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SWIC are $6,210 a year.

Read full report on Southwestern Illinois College

#13

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois
512 Total Awards
$8,760 Average Tuition & Fees

Carl Sandburg College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Carl Sandburg College is a small public school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 512 degrees in 2021-2022.

Carl Sandburg College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,760 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Carl Sandburg College Report

#14

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois
2,244 Total Awards
$13,905 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Land College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #14 on the list. Mattoon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,244 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lake Land College are $13,905 a year.

Read full report on Lake Land College

#15

Morton College

Cicero, Illinois
622 Total Awards
$10,900 Average Tuition & Fees

Morton College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois ranking. Morton College is located in Cicero, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 622 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Morton College are $10,900 per year.

Read More…

#16

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
5,228 Total Awards
$9,630 Average Tuition & Fees

Moraine Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 5,228 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MVCC are $9,630 per year.

Read More…

#17

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
1,312 Total Awards
$14,294 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 1,312 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Illinois are $14,294 per year.

Rasmussen University - Illinois also took the #5 spot in our Best Trade Schools in Illinois rankings.

Read More…

#18

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
1,564 Total Awards
$11,496 Average Tuition & Fees

Waubonsee Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,564 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Waubonsee undergraduate students pay an average of $11,496 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Waubonsee Community College

#19

DeVry University - Illinois

Naperville, Illinois
9,399 Total Awards
$15,032 Average Tuition & Fees

DeVry University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. DeVry University - Illinois is located in Naperville, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9,399 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DeVry University - Illinois are $15,032 a year.

DeVry University - Illinois also made our Best Trade Schools in Illinois list, coming in at #4.

Read More…

#20

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois
1,931 Total Awards
$11,336 Average Tuition & Fees

Illinois Central College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. ICC is a medium-sized public school situated in East Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 1,931 degrees in 2021-2022.

ICC undergraduate students pay an average of $11,336 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Illinois Central College Report

#21

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
5,654 Total Awards
$23,209 Average Tuition & Fees

Illinois State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,654 students in 2021-2022.

Illinois State undergraduate students pay an average of $23,209 in tuition and fees each year.

Illinois State also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in Illinois list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

#22

Kishwaukee College

Malta, Illinois
791 Total Awards
$13,800 Average Tuition & Fees

Kishwaukee College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This small public school is located in Malta, Illinois, and it awarded 791 degrees in 2021-2022.

Kishwaukee College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,800 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Kishwaukee College

#23

Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, Illinois
658 Total Awards
$11,064 Average Tuition & Fees

Prairie State College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois ranking. This small public school is located in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and it awarded 658 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Prairie State College are $11,064 a year.

Full Prairie State College Report

1,666 Total Awards
$14,430 Average Tuition & Fees

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Malcolm X College is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,666 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Malcolm X College are $14,430 per year.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Report

#25

Richland Community College

Decatur, Illinois
806 Total Awards
$17,070 Average Tuition & Fees

Richland Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in Illinois list. Located in Decatur, Illinois, the small public school awarded 806 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Richland Community College are $17,070 per year.

Full Richland Community College Report

Best Value Trade Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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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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