Community Colleges in Illinois USA. Illinois is a state that has a lot to offer for students who want to pursue higher education. Whether you are looking for a career change, a skill upgrade, or a transfer pathway to a four-year college or university, you can find a community college that suits your needs and goals in Illinois. Community colleges are public institutions that offer two-year associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in various fields of study. They are also known for their affordability, accessibility, and quality, as they often have lower tuition and fees than four-year institutions, provide flexible schedules and online courses, and have accredited programs and qualified faculty.
But with so many community colleges to choose from in Illinois, how do you decide which one is the best for you? There are many factors to consider, such as the programs offered, the graduation and transfer rates, the student services, the location, and the reputation of the school. To help you with your decision, we have compiled a list of the best 10 community colleges in Illinois USA based on various sources and criteria. Here are our top picks:
1. College of DuPage
College of DuPage (COD) is located in Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago. COD is the largest community college in Illinois and the second-largest provider of undergraduate education in the state, with over 24,000 students and more than 200 programs of study. COD is also a leader in online education, with over 450 online courses and 15 fully online degrees and certificates.
2. Harper College
Harper College is situated in Palatine, another suburb of Chicago. Harper College offers over 100 programs in fields such as business, engineering, health care, liberal arts, and technology. Harper College also has a transfer curriculum that prepares students for admission to four-year colleges and universities. Harper College has a student population of about 14,000.
3. Oakton Community College
Oakton Community College is based in Des Plaines and Skokie, two cities near Chicago. Oakton Community College offers over 80 programs in areas such as accounting, art, biology, computer science, education, nursing, and psychology. Oakton Community College also has an honors program that provides academic challenges and opportunities for high-achieving students. Oakton Community College has a student population of about 8, 000.
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4. Parkland College
Parkland College is located in Champaign, a city in central Illinois that is home to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Parkland College offers over 120 programs in fields such as agriculture, aviation, business, dental hygiene, graphic design, music, and veterinary technology. Parkland College also has online and hybrid courses that allow students to complete their degrees from anywhere. Parkland College has a student population of about 7, 000.
5. Moraine Valley Community College
Moraine Valley Community College is based in Palos Hills, a city southwest of Chicago. Moraine Valley Community College offers over 150 programs in areas such as culinary arts, cybersecurity, early childhood education, fire science, paralegal studies, radiologic technology, and theatre. Moraine Valley Community College also has a transfer curriculum that prepares students for admission to four-year colleges and universities. Moraine Valley Community College has a student population of about 13, 000.
6. Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College (JJC) is situated in Joliet, a city southwest of Chicago. JJC is the first public community college in the nation, founded in 1901. JJC offers over 180 programs in fields such as automotive technology, criminal justice, horticulture, nursing, robotics, sustainability, and welding. JJC also has online and hybrid courses that allow students to complete their degrees from anywhere. JJC has a student population of about 11, 000.
7. Lincoln Land Community College
Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) is located in Springfield, the capital city of Illinois. LLCC offers over 50 programs in areas such as aviation management, computer networking, hospitality management, massage therapy, pharmacy technician, social work, and truck driver training. LLCC also has online and hybrid courses that allow students to complete their degrees from anywhere. LLCC has a student population of about 5, 000.
8. Kankakee Community College
Kankakee Community College (KCC) is based in Kankakee, a city south of Chicago. KCC offers over 70 programs in fields such as electrical engineering technology, human services, medical laboratory technology, physical therapist assistant, radiography, solar energy, and wind turbine technician. KCC also has online and hybrid courses that allow students to complete their degrees from anywhere. KCC has a student population of about 3, 000.
9. Illinois Central College
Illinois Central College (ICC) is a multi-campus institution that serves over 8,000 students across four locations: East Peoria, Peoria, Pekin, and Washington. ICC offers over 150 programs in areas such as agriculture, culinary arts, graphic design, health sciences, information technology, and music. ICC also has online and hybrid courses that allow students to complete their degrees from anywhere.
10. Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College (ECC) is situated in Elgin, a city northwest of Chicago. ECC offers over 130 programs in fields such as automotive technology, digital technologies, hospitality and culinary arts, nursing, surgical technology, and welding. ECC also has a transfer curriculum that prepares students for admission to four-year colleges and universities. ECC has a student population of about 9,000.
Conclusion
These are just some of the best community colleges in Illinois USA that you can consider for your educational goals. Of course, there are many other factors that you should take into account when choosing a school, such as your personal preferences, interests, and budget. You can use online tools like [Bing] to search for more information about these schools or other community colleges in Illinois USA. You can also visit their websites or contact their admissions offices to learn more about their programs, requirements, and application processes.
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We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
What are the benefits of attending a community college in Illinois USA?
Some of the benefits are lower tuition and fees than four-year institutions, flexible schedules and online courses, transferable credits to other institutions, and career-oriented programs.
How much does it cost to attend a community college in Illinois USA?
The average tuition and fees for public two-year colleges in Illinois are $4,050 per year for in-district students, $7,978 per year for in-state students, and $10,454 per year for out-of-state students.
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How can I apply to a community college in Illinois USA?
The application process may vary depending on the school and the program you are interested in. However, some common steps are filling out an online application form, submitting your high school transcripts or GED scores, taking a placement test or submitting your ACT or SAT scores, and paying an application fee.
What are some of the best online community colleges in Illinois USA?
Some of the best online community colleges in Illinois USA are College of DuPage, Harper College, Oakton Community College, Parkland College, and Joliet Junior College.
