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2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 70 schools in Illinois to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named College of DuPage the most popular school in Illinois for trade school students working on their associate degree. COD is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 1,969 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend COD full time pay an average of $9,810 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,910. On average, associate degree students take out $12,967 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at COD, 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, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you attend DeVry University - Illinois. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade 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.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,032 to cover tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $29,129 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DeVry University - Illinois. During the 2020-2021 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 70 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwestern Illinois College landed the # 3 spot on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Belleville, Illinois, and it awarded 1,100 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from SWIC accumulate an average of $7,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that SWIC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Parkland College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 753 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees if they attend Parkland College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,930. On average, associate degree students take out $9,935 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Parkland College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Joliet Junior College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. This fairly large public school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 1,391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Joliet Junior College full time pay an average of $12,750 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,800. Associate Degree recipients from Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of $10,692 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
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.
With a ranking of #6, Fox College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Tinley Park, Illinois is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 198 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,453 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Illinois Central College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. ICC is a medium-sized public school situated in East Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 988 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $10,443 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Triton College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in River Grove, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 944 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $11,490 in tuition and fees if they attend Triton College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,430. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,572 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Triton College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #9, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 688 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Malcolm X College accumulate an average of $10,367 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Malcolm X College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
William Rainey Harper College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,920 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Harper College is $9,942. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,754. Associate Degree recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $13,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Online courses are available at Harper 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 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Elgin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. 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.
Students from Illinois who attend ECC full time pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,516. On average, associate degree students take out $8,366 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Online courses are available at ECC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #12, Moraine Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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.
Students from Illinois who attend MVCC full time pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,630. On average, associate degree students take out $12,220 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MVCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #13, Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Melrose Park, Illinois, the small private for-profit school awarded 177 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,529 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 2% were women.
Read full report on Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park
Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular 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.
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. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. This small public school is located in Godfrey, Illinois, and it awarded 608 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lewis and Clark Community College is $9,552. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,552. Associate Degree recipients from Lewis and Clark Community College accumulate an average of $7,734 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
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.
Kaskaskia College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Kaskaskia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Illinois. It awarded 366 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,530 in tuition and fees if they attend Kaskaskia College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,330. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Kaskaskia College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #17, Rock Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rock Valley College is a public institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $10,484 in tuition and fees if they attend Rock Valley College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,384. Associate Degree recipients from Rock Valley College accumulate an average of $10,885 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Rock Valley College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 1,588 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend College of Lake County full time pay an average of $9,842 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,118. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,385 in student loans. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that College of Lake County does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #19, Lake Land College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Lake Land College is a small public school located in Mattoon, Illinois that handed out 754 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lake Land College is $8,104. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,905. On average, associate degree students take out $7,042 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
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.
Carl Sandburg College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 306 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $7,860 in tuition and fees if they attend Carl Sandburg College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,760. Associate Degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College accumulate an average of $5,479 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
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.
Kankakee Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Kankakee Community College is located in Kankakee, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 299 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Illinois who attend Kankakee Community College full time pay an average of $13,200 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $25,560. On average, associate degree students take out $14,543 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Kankakee Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
With a ranking of #22, Illinois Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Oglesby, Illinois, and it awarded 419 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $13,169 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend IVCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,314. On average, associate degree students take out $9,837 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since IVCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #22, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small public school awarded 786 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees if they attend LLCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,068. Associate Degree recipients from LLCC accumulate an average of $13,700 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LLCC. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rend Lake College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. 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.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $6,450 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rend Lake College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,200. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rend Lake College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Kennedy-King College is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 189 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $7,496 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kennedy-King College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Most Popular Trade School Associate Degree 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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