2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 81 schools in Illinois to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named College of DuPage the most popular school in Illinois for students working on their associate degree. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the large public school awarded 2,258 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,750 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend COD. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,850. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,637 in student loans. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at COD. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at William Rainey Harper College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Illinois. Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,027 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $9,870 in tuition and fees if they attend Harper College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,682. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,799 in student loans. 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 81 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,991 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $8,118 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MVCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,334. On average, associate degree students take out $13,988 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
MVCC 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Joliet Junior College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 1,517 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Joliet Junior College full time pay an average of $12,570 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,410. Associate Degree recipients from Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of $13,342 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Joliet Junior College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,283 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $9,601 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Harold Washington College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College
College of Lake County did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 1,249 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at College of Lake County is $9,632. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,824. On average, associate degree students take out $14,641 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at College of Lake County. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Elgin Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,169 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $7,140 in tuition and fees if they attend ECC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,516. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,016 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 62% 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Southwestern Illinois College is a medium-sized public school located in Belleville, Illinois that handed out 1,054 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,561 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Online courses are available at SWIC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 1,042 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $9,271 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Waubonsee. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,076. Associate Degree recipients from Waubonsee accumulate an average of $12,163 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Waubonsee does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #10, Illinois Central College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. ICC is a public institution located in East Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 971 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,789 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ICC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Rock Valley College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rock Valley College is a public institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 953 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Rock Valley College is $8,924. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,564. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,336 in student loans. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rock Valley College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
DeVry University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. DeVry University - Illinois is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 947 associate degrees to qualified students.
DeVry University - Illinois does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $15,032. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $35,424 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Triton College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. This medium-sized public school is located in River Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 943 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Associate Degree recipients from Triton College accumulate an average of $13,807 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Online courses are available at Triton College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 899 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,901 in student loans. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Wilbur Wright College. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Full City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College Report
With a ranking of #15, Parkland College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 893 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $11,580 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Parkland College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,930. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,845 in student loans. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Parkland College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. This small public school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 798 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend LLCC full time pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,068. On average, associate degree students take out $16,056 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Online courses are available at LLCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
McHenry County College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It awarded 770 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend MCC full time pay an average of $11,608 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,449. On average, associate degree students take out $11,243 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Online courses are available at MCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #18, Oakton Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Des Plaines, Illinois that handed out 745 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Oakton Community College is $10,446. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,462. Associate Degree recipients from Oakton Community College accumulate an average of $12,398 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Online courses are available at Oakton Community College, 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, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 739 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $16,772 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Malcolm X College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. This small private for-profit school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 715 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois, expect to pay an average of $13,883 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Rasmussen University - Illinois does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lewis and Clark Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Lewis and Clark Community College is a public institution located in Godfrey, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 663 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,019 in student loans. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lewis and Clark Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 16% took at least some of their classes online.
Lake Land College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, the small public school handed out 652 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $8,104 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lake Land College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,906. On average, associate degree students take out $11,990 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Lake Land College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
Heartland Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Heartland Community College is located in Normal, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 637 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $9,810 in tuition and fees if they attend Heartland Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,550. On average, associate degree students take out $14,253 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Heartland Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rend Lake College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rend Lake College is a small public school situated in Ina, Illinois. It awarded 482 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Rend Lake College is $6,000. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,750. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,586 in student loans. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rend Lake College. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Black Hawk College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Moline, Illinois, the small public school handed out 479 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,002 in student loans. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BHC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
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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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