2023 Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 137 schools in Illinois to see which undergraduate certificate programs were the most popular 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named DeVry University - Illinois the most popular school in Illinois for students working on their undergraduate certificate. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 2,061 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
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. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $22,785 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at DeVry University - Illinois. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William Rainey Harper College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. This fairly large public school is located in Palatine, Illinois, and it awarded 1,020 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend Harper College full time pay an average of $9,870 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Harper College. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Illinois. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small private for-profit school awarded 923 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,146 in student loans. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, Illinois Report
The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at College of Lake County helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Illinois. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 890 undergraduate certificate awards 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, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,182 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that College of Lake County does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 681 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Harold Washington College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Report
Lewis and Clark Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Located in Godfrey, Illinois, the small public school awarded 514 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.
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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,552. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,765 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Lewis and Clark Community 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 16% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 503 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Wilbur Wright College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College
Universal Technical Institute - Illinois came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. This small private for-profit school is located in Lisle, Illinois, and it awarded 488 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from UTI Illinois accumulate an average of $16,509 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 3% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Universal Technical Institute - Illinois
Lake Land College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Lake Land College is a small public school located in Mattoon, Illinois that handed out 479 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lake Land College is $8,104. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,906. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,767 in student loans. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lake Land College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
McHenry County College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It awarded 466 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
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. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,159 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
One thing to take note of is that MCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 50% took at least some of their classes online.
Elgin Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 432 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ECC is $7,140. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,516. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,701 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
ECC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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 #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 392 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $12,570 in tuition and fees if they attend Joliet Junior College full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Joliet Junior College. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Oakton Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Des Plaines, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 379 students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Oakton Community College is $10,446. If you are from out of state, expect to 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. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Oakton Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #14, Carl Sandburg College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 356 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
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. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Carl Sandburg College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 334 students in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Malcolm X College accumulate an average of $16,095 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Malcolm X College. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Read full report on City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
College of DuPage landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. College of DuPage is a large public school located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois that handed out 318 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at COD is $9,750. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,850. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,670 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you 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.
Black Hawk College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Black Hawk College is a small public school located in Moline, Illinois that handed out 313 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from BHC accumulate an average of $18,698 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
BHC 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 71% took at least some of their classes online.
Rend Lake College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Ina, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 299 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rend Lake College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,750. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,002 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rend Lake College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Lincoln Tech - Melrose Park is located in Melrose Park, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 295 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Lincoln Tech - Melrose Park accumulate an average of $14,005 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. This very small private for-profit school is located in Rockford, Illinois, and it awarded 290 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College accumulate an average of $17,637 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
Full Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College Report
Kankakee Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. Kankakee Community College is located in Kankakee, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 287 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kankakee Community College is $13,200. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,560. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,502 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Kankakee Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Harry S Truman College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 286 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Harry S Truman College accumulate an average of $20,722 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Harry S Truman 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 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #23, ETI School of Skilled Trades did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. Willowbrook, Illinois is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out undergraduate certificates to 284 students in 2020-2021.
Undergraduate Certificate recipients from ETI accumulate an average of $9,959 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 5% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #24, Illinois Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. IVCC is a small public school situated in Oglesby, Illinois. It awarded 276 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $12,952 in tuition and fees if they attend IVCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,942. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from IVCC accumulate an average of $10,432 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Online courses are available at IVCC, 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 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Coyne College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the very small private for-profit school handed out 268 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.
On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,487 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 24% were women.
Most Popular Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College | Chicago, IL |
| 27 | Parkland College | Champaign, IL |
| 28 | Triton College | River Grove, 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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