Find Trade Colleges
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. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the large public school handed out 1,969 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend COD full time pay an average of $9,810 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,910. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,967 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
COD 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. 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. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,611 students in 2021-2022.
DeVry University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,032. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $29,129 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
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.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Southwestern Illinois College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. SWIC is a medium-sized public school situated in Belleville, Illinois. It awarded 1,100 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,566 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SWIC. In 2020-2021 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Parkland College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. 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.
Students from Illinois who attend Parkland College full time pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,930. Associate Degree recipients from Parkland College accumulate an average of $9,935 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Parkland College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Joliet Junior College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $12,750 in tuition and fees if they attend Joliet Junior College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,800. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,692 in student loans. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Joliet Junior College. 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.
Fox College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This very small private for-profit school is located in Tinley Park, Illinois, and it awarded 198 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Fox College accumulate an average of $16,453 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
Illinois Central College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. ICC is located in East Peoria, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 988 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $10,443 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ICC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Triton College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in River Grove, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 944 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Triton College is $11,490. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
You may have the opportunity 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.
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. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 688 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,367 in student loans. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Malcolm X College. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
William Rainey Harper 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 #10 on the list. 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,754. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,214 in student loans. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
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.
Elgin Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. 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.
In-state students pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees if they attend ECC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,516. Associate Degree recipients from ECC accumulate an average of $8,366 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
ECC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. This fairly large public school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 2,089 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees if they attend MVCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,630. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,220 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MVCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Lincoln Tech - Melrose Park is a private for-profit institution located in Melrose Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 177 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Lincoln Tech - Melrose Park accumulate an average of $17,529 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 2% were women.
Read full report on Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park
With a ranking of #14, Rasmussen University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Rockford, Illinois, the small private for-profit school handed out 950 associate degree awards 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. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Illinois. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
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. Lewis and Clark Community College is a small public school located in Godfrey, Illinois that handed out 608 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lewis and Clark Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,552. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,734 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Online courses are available at Lewis and Clark 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 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Kaskaskia College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. This small public school is located in Centralia, Illinois, and it awarded 366 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $7,530 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kaskaskia College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,330. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Kaskaskia College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Rock Valley 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 #17 on the list. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,051 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,484 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rock Valley College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $20,384. On average, associate degree students take out $10,885 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Rock Valley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
College of Lake County ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,588 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,842 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend College of Lake County. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,118. Associate Degree recipients from College of Lake County accumulate an average of $10,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at College of Lake County. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lake Land 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 #19 on the list. Lake Land College is a small public school situated in Mattoon, Illinois. It awarded 754 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Lake Land College full time pay an average of $8,104 in tuition and fees. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Lake Land College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
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. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, the small public school handed out 306 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Carl Sandburg College is $7,860. If you are from out of state, expect to 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. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
Online courses are available at Carl Sandburg 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 76% took at least some of their classes online.
Kankakee Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Kankakee, Illinois, the small public school handed out 299 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Kankakee Community College full time pay an average of $13,200 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $25,560. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,543 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kankakee Community College. In fact, around 36% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Oglesby, Illinois, the small public school awarded 419 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $13,169 in tuition and fees if they attend IVCC full time. 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. Around 57% of those degree recipients 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Lincoln Land Community College is a small public school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 786 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LLCC is $6,840. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,068. On average, associate degree students take out $13,700 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
LLCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rend Lake College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. This small public school is located in Ina, Illinois, and it awarded 462 associate degrees 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rend Lake College. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #24, City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is a small public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 189 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $7,496 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Kennedy-King College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Most Popular Trade School Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
View Most Popular Trade School Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
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.