2023 Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 39 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best undergraduate certificate programs for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Northwestern University the best school in Illinois for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
Northwestern does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $60,768. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at DeVry University - Illinois helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Illinois.
The average tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois is $15,032. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $22,785 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at DeVry University - Illinois, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rasmussen University - Illinois. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,883 to cover tuition and fees at Rasmussen 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 $20,381 in student loans.
Rasmussen University - Illinois 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. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Out of the 39 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Rock Valley College landed the # 4 spot on the list.
Students from Illinois who attend Rock Valley College full time pay an average of $8,924 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,564. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,594 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rock Valley College 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. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at McHenry County College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Illinois.
Students from Illinois who attend MCC full time pay an average of $11,608 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,449. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $12,159 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
MCC 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. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
William Rainey Harper College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,870 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Harper College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,682. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $15,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Harper College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, College of Lake County did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
Students from Illinois who attend College of Lake County full time pay an average of $9,632 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,824. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,182 in loans while pursuing their degree.
College of Lake County does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Coyne College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,487 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Black Hawk College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $18,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BHC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #10, Elgin Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ECC is $7,140. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,516. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,701 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at ECC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Joliet Junior College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $12,570 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Joliet Junior College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,410. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of $16,047 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Joliet Junior College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Kankakee Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $13,200 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Kankakee Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,560. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Kankakee Community College accumulate an average of $21,502 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kankakee Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #13, Oakton Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $10,446 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Oakton Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,462. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Oakton Community College accumulate an average of $17,358 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Oakton Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Malcolm X College accumulate an average of $16,095 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Malcolm X College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #15 on the list.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lewis and Clark Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,552. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Lewis and Clark Community College accumulate an average of $11,765 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lewis and Clark Community College. In fact, around 16% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Carl Sandburg College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Carl Sandburg College is $7,860. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,760.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Carl Sandburg College. In fact, around 83% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #17, South Suburban College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SSC is $11,033. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,683.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SSC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Illinois Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at IVCC is $12,952. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,942. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,432 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at IVCC. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #19, Kishwaukee College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
Students from Illinois who attend Kishwaukee College full time pay an average of $9,390 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,800. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,967 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Kishwaukee College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Waubonsee Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #20 on the list.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,271 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Waubonsee. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,076. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,164 in student loans.
Waubonsee 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #21 on the list.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,591 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Olive-Harvey College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #22, Olney Central College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Olney Central College is $10,056. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,082. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Olney Central College accumulate an average of $8,619 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Olney Central College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 39% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LLCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,068. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from LLCC accumulate an average of $10,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LLCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #24, John A Logan College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
Students from Illinois who attend John A Logan College full time pay an average of $5,960 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,980. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,389 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at John A Logan College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #25, Triton College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $11,190 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Triton College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,980. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,166 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Triton College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
View Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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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