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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.
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Most Popular Trade Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found College of DuPage to be the most popular school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Illinois. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the large public school handed out 1,969 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at COD is $9,810. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,910. On average, associate degree students take out $12,967 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since COD does offer online classes for certain majors. 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. On average, associate degree students take out $29,129 in loans while pursuing 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. Located in Belleville, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,100 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from SWIC accumulate an average of $7,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Online courses are available at SWIC, 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.
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. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 753 diplomas to qualifed associate degree 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. 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Parkland College. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Joliet Junior College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 1,391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Joliet Junior College is $12,750. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,800. On average, associate degree students take out $10,692 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Joliet Junior 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. 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 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 #6 on the list. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
With a ranking of #7, Illinois Central College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in East Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 988 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,443 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ICC. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class 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. Triton College is a medium-sized public school located in River Grove, Illinois that handed out 944 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Triton College full time pay an average of $11,490 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,430. On average, associate degree students take out $11,572 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 688 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $10,367 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 78% of those degree recipients 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 ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large public school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 1,920 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Harper College. Out-of-state students 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.
One thing to take note of is that Harper College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #11, Elgin Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Elgin, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,091 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ECC is $7,140. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,516. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,366 in student loans. 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.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 2,089 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
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. 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.
MVCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. 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. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 950 students 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. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $21,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 65% 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 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 situated in Godfrey, Illinois. It awarded 608 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Lewis and Clark Community College full time pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees. 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. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lewis and Clark Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, Kaskaskia College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Centralia, Illinois, the small public school handed out 366 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kaskaskia College is $7,530. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,330. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kaskaskia College. 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.
Rock Valley College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Rock Valley College is a medium-sized public school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Rock Valley College is $10,484. Those students who come from outside the state 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. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Online courses are available at Rock Valley College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 64% 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 most popular schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,118. On average, associate degree students take out $10,385 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
College of Lake County 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 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lake Land College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, the small public school handed out 754 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $8,104 in tuition and fees if they attend Lake Land College full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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. 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 came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, the small public school awarded 306 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
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. On average, associate degree students take out $5,479 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you 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.
Kankakee Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree trade school programs. Kankakee, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 299 students in 2021-2022.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Kankakee Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 36% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. IVCC is a public institution located in Oglesby, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 419 associate degrees 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. Associate Degree recipients from IVCC accumulate an average of $9,837 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at IVCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 40% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. LLCC is located in Springfield, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 786 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees if they attend LLCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LLCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Rend Lake College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This small public school is located in Ina, Illinois, and it awarded 462 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Rend Lake College full time pay an average of $6,450 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,200. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small public school awarded 189 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Kennedy-King College accumulate an average of $7,496 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kennedy-King College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College
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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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