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2023 Most Popular Undergraduate 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 128 schools in Illinois to see which undergraduate certificate 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.
Most Popular Trade Undergraduate Certificate 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 who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in Illinois. DeVry University - Illinois is located in Naperville, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,903 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,032 to cover tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,207 in student loans. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that DeVry University - Illinois does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 128 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois landed the # 2 spot on the list. MTI - Springfield, Illinois is located in Springfield, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 983 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,868 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Universal Technical Institute - Illinois is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Universal Technical Institute - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in Lisle, Illinois that handed out 627 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $15,108 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 4% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Universal Technical Institute - Illinois
You’ll be in good company if you attend Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. This small private for-profit school is located in Melrose Park, Illinois, and it awarded 310 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,984 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means ETI School of Skilled Trades is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Willowbrook, Illinois, the very small private for-profit school handed out 308 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from ETI accumulate an average of $7,821 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 4% 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 to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 390 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Joliet Junior College is $12,750. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,800. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,912 in student loans. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Joliet Junior College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #8, College of DuPage did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 220 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend COD full time pay an average of $9,810 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,910. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from COD accumulate an average of $9,892 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at COD. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #9, Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College is a very small private for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 299 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College is $16,699. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,217 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Malcolm X College is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 283 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,568 in student loans. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Malcolm X College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Belleville, Illinois, and it awarded 234 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $5,236 in student loans. Around 32% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that SWIC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Moraine Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 358 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $8,310 in tuition and fees if they attend MVCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,630. Around 32% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MVCC. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rock Valley College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate 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 150 undergraduate 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. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,634 in student loans. Around 17% of those degree recipients were women.
Rock Valley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, Lake Land College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Lake Land College is located in Mattoon, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 654 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $8,104 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lake Land College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,905. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Lake Land College accumulate an average of $5,918 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Lake Land College. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. College of Lake County is a public institution located in Grayslake, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,183 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at College of Lake County is $9,842. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,118. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of Lake County. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 181 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LLCC is $6,840. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,068. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from LLCC accumulate an average of $8,408 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 20% of those degree recipients were women.
LLCC 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, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
William Rainey Harper College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,005 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
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. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,644 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Harper College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lewis and Clark Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Godfrey, Illinois, the small public school awarded 383 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lewis and Clark Community College is $9,552. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,552. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,313 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 62% 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.
John A Logan College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Carterville, Illinois, the small public school handed out 133 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,990 in tuition and fees if they attend John A Logan College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,370. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
One thing to take note of is that John A Logan College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
MDT College of Health Sciences landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 106 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at ATS Institute of Technology is $20,230. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,737 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.
One thing to take note of is that ATS Institute of Technology does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Elgin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Elgin, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 534 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Illinois who attend ECC full time pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,516. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $3,402 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ECC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #21, Kaskaskia College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Kaskaskia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Illinois. It awarded 225 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,530 in tuition and fees if they attend Kaskaskia College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,330. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Kaskaskia College. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Capital Area School of Practical Nursing came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. This very small public school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 79 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,716 in student loans. Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.
Cosmetology & Spa Academy landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Crystal Lake, Illinois is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 124 students in 2021-2022.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Cosmetology & Spa Academy accumulate an average of $9,798 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
Rend Lake College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Rend Lake College is a small public school located in Ina, Illinois that handed out 296 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $6,450 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rend Lake College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,200. Around 65% of those degree recipients 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. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Most Popular Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College | Chicago, 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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