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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.
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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. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school located in Naperville, Illinois that handed out 9,399 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $39,266 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $138, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from DeVry University - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,020 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 181 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the # 2 spot on the 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.
Out of the 181 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois landed the # 3 spot on the list. 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.After graduating from MTI - Springfield, Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $24,872 during the early years of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois Report
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. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,419 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $12,072 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Harper College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,420 during the early year of their career. 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. Moraine Valley Community College is a fairly large public school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 5,228 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,220 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,287 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,100 in student loans.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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #7 on the list. This large public school is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, 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. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 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. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
Joliet Junior College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. This fairly large public school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 2,944 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,438 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Joliet Junior College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,492 during the early years of their career. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. This small public school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 1,623 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,613 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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 came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 2,201 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,125 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from ECC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,352 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 3,109 diplomas to qualifed students 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. 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.After graduating from SIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,413 during the early years of their career. Around 49% of those degree recipients 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 awarded 1,451 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,140 in student loans.After graduating from Parkland College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,662 during the early years of their career. 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. Rock Valley College is a medium-sized public school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 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 came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Centralia, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 842 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Kaskaskia College graduates make an average of $35,724 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. Lewis and Clark Community College is a public institution located in Godfrey, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,403 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,550 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Lewis and Clark Community College graduates make an average of $35,230 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Universal Technical Institute - Illinois came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Lisle, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 627 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,108 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $221, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UTI Illinois graduates make an average of $36,955 annually. Around 4% of those degree recipients were women.
Rend Lake College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This small public school is located in Ina, Illinois, and it awarded 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 ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in River Grove, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,399 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,572 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Triton College graduates make an average of $37,833 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. 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 ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. IVCC is a public institution located in Oglesby, Illinois. The school has a small population, 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. During the early years of their career, IVCC graduates make an average of $31,833 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Illinois Central College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. East Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,931 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from ICC accumulate an average of $9,912 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, ICC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,732 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Melrose Park, Illinois, the small private for-profit school handed out 489 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,756 in loans while pursuing 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.After graduating from Lincoln Tech - Melrose Park, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,570 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.
Read full report on Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park
With a ranking of #24, Oakton Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Des Plaines, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,875 students 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 ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, the small public school awarded 2,244 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Lake Land College accumulate an average of $6,667 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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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