2023 Most Popular 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 Trade Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 181 schools in Illinois to see which ones were the most popular 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 Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found DeVry University - Illinois to be the most popular school for trade school students in Illinois. Located in Naperville, Illinois, the large private for-profit school handed out 9,399 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,266 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $138. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Lake County. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 4,149 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from College of Lake County accumulate an average of $10,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from College of Lake County, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,083 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
The programs at Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Illinois. This small private for-profit school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 1,210 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,868 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $72 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, MTI - Springfield, Illinois graduates make an average of $24,872 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Read full report on Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois
Out of the 181 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, William Rainey Harper College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Harper College is a public institution located in Palatine, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,419 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,072 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Harper College graduates make an average of $43,420 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 5,228 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,220 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MVCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,287 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Southwestern Illinois College is a medium-sized public school located in Belleville, Illinois that handed out 2,480 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,100 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SWIC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,934 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
College of DuPage ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,944 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,759 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, COD graduates make an average of $24,970 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. 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.
On average, students take out $8,739 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Malcolm X College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,354 during the early year of their career. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
Joliet Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #9 on the list. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 2,944 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of $10,438 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Joliet Junior College graduates make an average of $34,492 annually. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small public school awarded 1,623 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,613 in student loans. During the early years of their career, LLCC graduates make an average of $34,692 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
With a ranking of #11, Elgin Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,201 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,125 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, ECC graduates make an average of $39,352 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,109 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SIUC accumulate an average of $31,834 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $286 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SIUC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,413 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Parkland College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,451 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,140 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Parkland College graduates make an average of $38,662 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Rock Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #14 on the list. Rock Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 1,630 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,801 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Rock Valley College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,063 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Kaskaskia College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Kaskaskia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Illinois. It awarded 842 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Kaskaskia College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,724 during the early years of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Lewis and Clark Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Lewis and Clark Community College is located in Godfrey, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,403 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Lewis and Clark Community College accumulate an average of $7,550 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Lewis and Clark Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,230 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Illinois ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. UTI Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Lisle, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 627 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,108 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $221 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UTI Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,955 during the early year of their career. Around 4% of those degree recipients were women.
Rend Lake College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Ina, Illinois, the small public school handed out 1,245 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Rend Lake College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,704 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Triton College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Triton College is located in River Grove, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,399 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $11,572 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Triton College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,833 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Waubonsee Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 1,564 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,891 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Waubonsee graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,527 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Illinois Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. IVCC is located in Oglesby, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,057 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from IVCC accumulate an average of $9,543 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, IVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,833 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Illinois Central College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in East Peoria, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,931 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,912 in student loans.After graduating from ICC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,732 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Melrose Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 489 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Lincoln Tech - Melrose Park accumulate an average of $14,756 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $131 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Lincoln Tech - Melrose Park graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,570 during the early year of their career. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Oakton Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Des Plaines, Illinois that handed out 1,875 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,638 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Oakton Community College graduates make an average of $42,340 annually. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Lake Land College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #25 on the list. Lake Land College is a public institution located in Mattoon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2,244 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,667 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Lake Land College graduates make an average of $33,991 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois
Not only did these schools make the top 28 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Trade School Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | John A Logan College | Carterville, IL |
| 30 | G Skin & Beauty Institute | Schaumburg, IL |
| 31 | Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL |
| 32 | Rasmussen University - Illinois | Rockford, IL |
| 33 | City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College | Chicago, IL |
| 34 | ETI School of Skilled Trades | Willowbrook, IL |
| 34 | School Removed | |
| 36 | Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL |
| 37 | Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College | Rockford, IL |
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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