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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.
Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named DeVry University - Illinois the most popular school in Illinois for trade school students working on their degree. 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. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 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. Once they receive their degree, College of Lake County graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,083 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small private for-profit school handed out 1,210 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,868 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $72, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, MTI - Springfield, Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,872 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Full Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois Report
The programs at William Rainey Harper College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Illinois. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 4,419 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,072 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Harper College graduates make an average of $43,420 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Moraine Valley Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Illinois. This fairly large public school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 5,228 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,220 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, MVCC graduates make an average of $35,287 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. SWIC is located in Belleville, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,480 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $7,100 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from SWIC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,934 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
College of DuPage came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. COD is a public institution located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,944 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from COD accumulate an average of $11,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from COD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $24,970 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1,666 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,739 in student loans. 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. Once they receive their degree, Joliet Junior College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,492 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small public school handed out 1,623 degrees 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. Once they receive their degree, LLCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,692 during the early year of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Elgin Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 2,201 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from ECC accumulate an average of $7,125 in student debt by the time they complete 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.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,834 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $286, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,413 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Parkland College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,451 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Parkland College accumulate an average of $9,140 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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 came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,630 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,801 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Centralia, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 842 students in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Kaskaskia College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,724 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
With a ranking of #16, Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Lewis and Clark Community College is a small public school situated in Godfrey, Illinois. It awarded 1,403 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Lewis and Clark Community College accumulate an average of $7,550 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Lewis and Clark Community College graduates make an average of $35,230 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #17, Universal Technical Institute - Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Lisle, Illinois, the small private for-profit school awarded 627 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UTI Illinois accumulate an average of $15,108 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $221, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UTI Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,955 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 4% were women.
Rend Lake College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Rend Lake College is located in Ina, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,245 degrees to qualified students.
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 came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. River Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,399 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Triton College accumulate an average of $11,572 in student debt by the time they complete 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 ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 1,564 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Waubonsee accumulate an average of $8,891 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Waubonsee graduates make an average of $34,527 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Illinois Valley Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This small public school is located in Oglesby, Illinois, and it awarded 1,057 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,543 in student loans.After graduating from IVCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,833 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Illinois Central College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. ICC is located in East Peoria, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,931 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $9,912 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, ICC graduates make an average of $36,732 annually. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Melrose Park, Illinois, the small private for-profit school handed out 489 degrees 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $131. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.
Oakton Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,875 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,638 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Oakton Community College graduates make an average of $42,340 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Lake Land College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This small public school is located in Mattoon, Illinois, 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.After graduating from Lake Land College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,991 during the early years of their career. 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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