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2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate 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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 104 schools in Illinois to see which ones were the most popular basic certificate programs 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 Basic Certificate Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named College of Lake County the most popular school in Illinois for trade school students working on their basic certificate. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,378 basic certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $9,842 in tuition and fees if they attend College of Lake County full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,118. Around 49% 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 104 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, William Rainey Harper College landed the # 2 spot on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Palatine, Illinois, and it awarded 1,494 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees if they attend Harper College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,754. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Harper College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,781 basic certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MVCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,630. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MVCC. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 104 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwestern Illinois College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Belleville, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,146 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 46% 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. 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 attend Lincoln Land Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. LLCC is located in Springfield, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 656 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LLCC is $6,840. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,068. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
LLCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 695 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Malcolm X College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
Elgin Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 576 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ECC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,516. Of those students who received their degree, 32% were women.
One thing to take note of is that ECC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Joliet Junior College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 1,163 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $12,750 in tuition and fees if they attend Joliet Junior College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,800. Of those students who received their degree, 37% 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.
College of DuPage ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. This large public school is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and it awarded 755 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at COD is $9,810. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,910. Of those students who received their degree, 59% 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. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Oakton Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 640 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Oakton Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,462. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Oakton Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #11, Heartland Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Heartland Community College is located in Normal, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 484 basic certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,050 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Heartland Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,880. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Heartland Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Illinois Valley Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. IVCC is a small public school situated in Oglesby, Illinois. It awarded 329 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $13,169 in tuition and fees if they attend IVCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,314. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at IVCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 485 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Waubonsee is $10,626. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,496. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Waubonsee does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Rend Lake College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Rend Lake College is located in Ina, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 487 basic certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $6,450 in tuition and fees if they attend Rend Lake College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,200. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Online courses are available at Rend Lake College, 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, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Parkland College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Parkland College is a medium-sized public school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 475 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Parkland College full time pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,930. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Parkland 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kaskaskia College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Centralia, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 251 students 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. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Kaskaskia 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 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
McHenry County College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and it awarded 546 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MCC is $11,341. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,692. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 38% took at least some of their classes online.
G Skin & Beauty Institute came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. G Skin and Beauty Institute is a private for-profit institution located in Schaumburg, Illinois. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 336 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Of those students who received their degree, 99% were women.
Lewis and Clark Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Godfrey, Illinois, the small public school handed out 412 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees if they attend Lewis and Clark Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,552. Around 41% 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. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Richland Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Richland Community College is a small public school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 326 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,800 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Richland Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,070. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Richland Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rock Valley College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Rock Valley College is a public institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 429 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Rock Valley College full time pay an average of $10,484 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,384. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Rock Valley 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 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #22, Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. MTI - Springfield, Illinois is located in Springfield, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 227 basic certificates to qualified students.
Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Full Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois Report
Prairie State College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Prairie State College is a small public school located in Chicago Heights, Illinois that handed out 292 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend Prairie State College full time pay an average of $9,342 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,064. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Prairie State College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Kankakee Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Kankakee Community College is a small public school situated in Kankakee, Illinois. It awarded 268 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $13,200 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kankakee Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $25,560. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Some students 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.
Sauk Valley Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Sauk Valley Community College is a small public school situated in Dixon, Illinois. It awarded 264 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees if they attend Sauk Valley Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,840. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Sauk Valley Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Most Popular Trade School Basic Certificate 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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