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Colleges and Universities in Illinois (IL)

Illinois Colleges Open Doors in the Prairie State

Illinois colleges and universities offer a diverse student body and a robust selection of academic programs that are ideal for both new high school grads and mid-career changers. Learn how the state's pro-education environment encourages a smooth transition from classroom to career.
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Illinois offers a unique collegiate experience in a wholesome, Midwestern environment. Illinois colleges and universities combine technology, facilities, and qualified instructors to immerse you in a culture of learning.

The state of Illinois boasts a diverse system of 9 public universities at 12 campuses, 48 community colleges, 97 independent not-for-profit colleges and universities, and 35 independent for-profit institutions. The Illinois Community College Board reports that Illinois has the third largest community college system in the nation.

Another quality feature of Illinois colleges is the regard the state's employers have for its graduates. According to the Illinois Community College Board, more than 80 percent of Illinois employers have hired a community college student in the last decade. Also, nearly 30 percent of Illinois employees have completed a credit course at a community college in that same time period.

Illinois Universities: Home to a Diverse Student Population
One benefit you'll find at colleges in Illinois is diversity. Study Illinois reports that Illinois colleges accept more than 25,000 international students every year. Here are some other notable enrollment statistics cited by the Illinois Board of Higher Education:
  • Enrollments at public universities increased by 1.2 percent in fall 2009 to 204,469
  • Community college enrollments increased 6.4 percent to 380,025
  • The number of students at private institutions increased 3.1 percent in the nonprofit sector, to 231,379 Enrollment at proprietary institutions grew by 1.4 percent, to 77,032
  • There were 8,936 Illinois students enrolled in out-of-state institutions with operations in Illinois
Cost of Attending Illinois Universities
You'll discover that colleges in Illinois are in-line with the national averages with respect to tuition, room, board, and fees. The College Zone, a partner of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, reports the following average tuition and fees for Illinois colleges and universities:
  • Public community college: $14,637
  • Public four-year college: $20,339
  • Private four-year college: $40,476
The average full-time community college student pays only $2,521 per year in tuition and fees for training in over 300 different careers. Financial aid opportunities are available for you to use at colleges in Illinois based on need and academic merit.

Prospects for Graduates of Illinois Colleges
The U.S. Census Bureau reveals the state's 2009 population estimate at 6,593,587--fifteenth in the nation--and the state's major city, Chicago, is a cultural and business hub in the Midwest. Illinois' main industries include biotechnology, health care, finance and tourism. Median income in the state was $65,401 in 2008. Outside of class, students can enjoy a rich cultural scene that features a range of professional sporting events and a thriving nightlife.« Collapse

Featured Schools (3)

Empire Beauty Schools
 (Hanover Park, Lisle, Arlington Heights)

Programs Offered:

Cosmetology, Esthetician Schools
DeVry University
 (Tinley Park, Chicago Loop, Chicago O’Hare, Elgin, Gurnee, Naperville, Chicago, Lincolnshire, Oak Brook, Addison, Schaumburg)

Programs Offered:

Business Administration, lnternational Management, Finance, Educational Leadership, Educational Technology, Secondary Education, Assessment and Evaluation, Curriculum and Instruction, K-12 Education, Education Administration, Engineering Management, Media Design, Game Design, Laboratory Technician, Health Care Management, Health Information Technology, Computer Programming, Hospitality Management, Software Engineering, IT Management, Web Development, Web Design , Database Management, Information Systems Security, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Information Security Mgmt, Computer Networking, Computer Security, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, MBA, Public Administration, Business Management , Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Project Management, Operations Management, Human Resources, Accounting
First Institute
 (Crystal Lake)

Programs Offered:

Medical Assistant, Massage Therapy, Dental Assistant

Programs Offered:

Digital Photography, Interior Design, Advertising Design, Visual Arts
Argosy University
 (Chicago, Schaumburg)

Programs Offered:

Medical Assistant, Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Assistant, Dental Hygiene, Laboratory Technician, General Psychology, Criminal Justice, Organizational Management, Business Administration, Health Care Management, Information Systems, International Business, Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources, Liberal Arts, Addiction Counseling, IT Management, Business Management , Management, Education Administration, Educational Leadership, Higher Education, Counseling Psychology, Teacher Education, School Counseling, MBA, Finance, Health Administration, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Forensic Psychology, Sports Psychology, Non-Profit Management, Emergency Management, Radiology, Sonography

Programs Offered:

Business Administration, Retail Management, Operations Management, Marketing, Advertising Design, Media Design, Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Graphic Arts, Game Design, Audio Video Production, Digital Photography, Interior Design, Visual Arts, Animation, Motion Graphics, Film And Video, Web Design , Web Development, Computer Networking, Database Management, Construction Management

Programs Offered:

Root
Northwestern College
 (Chicago, Bridgeview)

Programs Offered:

Office Administration, Information Systems, Paralegal, Massage Therapy, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Office Management, Medical Coding, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assistant, Health Information Technology, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, Corrections, Criminal Justice, Human Resources, Business Administration

Programs Offered:

Business Administration, Leadership, Operations Management, MBA, ESL, K-12 Education, Reading and Literacy, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Secondary Education, Teacher Education, Nursing, School Counseling, Political Science, History, Philosophy, Education Administration, Assessment and Evaluation
Saint Xavier University
 (Chicago, Orland Park)

Programs Offered:

Root
Everest College
 (Skokie, Burr Ridge, Chicago, North Aurora, Merrionette Park)

Programs Offered:

Accounting, Business Administration, Office Administration, Business Management , Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer Networking, HVAC, Electrician, Criminal Justice, Investigations, Corrections, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, Security, Paralegal, Medical Assistant, Surgical Technology, Nursing, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Coding, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Management
Cortiva Institute
 (Chicago, Woodridge, Crystal Lake)

Programs Offered:

Massage Therapy, Root

Programs Offered:

HVAC, Welding

Programs Offered:

Accounting, Business Management , Marketing, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Paralegal, Early Childhood Education, Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapy Assistant, Veterinary Technician, Surgical Technology, Medical Coding, Medical Office Management, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assistant, Nursing, Medical Transcription, Dental Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Computer Networking, Computer Programming, IT Management, Database Management, Computer Security, Electronics, Audio Video Production, Graphic Arts, Health Care Management

Programs Offered:

Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant
ITT Technical Institute
 (Orland Park, Oak Brook, Mount Prospect)

Programs Offered:

Paralegal, Business Administration, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Corrections, Homeland Security, Investigations, Legal Studies, Law Enforcement, Electronics, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Coding, Medical Office Management, Medical Transcription, Computer Applications, Computer Networking, Information Systems, IT Management, Project Management, Computer Security, Information Systems Security, MBA
University of Phoenix
 (Schaumburg, Mokena, Warrenville)

Programs Offered:

Accounting, Business Communications, Hotel Management, Organizational Management, Educational Technology, Business Administration, Business Management , Office Administration, Finance, International Business, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Marketing, Project Management, Retail Management, Entrepreneurship, lnternational Management, Customer Service, Higher Education, MBA, Public Administration, School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Behavioral Science, General Psychology, Health Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Child Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Liberal Arts, English, Teacher Education, Elementary Teacher, Curriculum and Instruction, Education Administration, Secondary Education, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Adult Education, Educational Leadership, K-12 Education, ESL, Nursing, Health Information Technology, Health Education, Medical Coding, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Management, Teaching Assistant, Health Care Management, Emergency Management, Gerontology, Philosophy, Criminal Justice, Corrections, Homeland Security, Investigations, Law Enforcement, Security, IT Management, Information Systems, Computer Networking, Web Development, Engineering Technologies, Software Engineering, Computer Security, Information Security Mgmt, Information Systems Security, Web Design , Database Management, Computer Programming, Travel and Tourism, Hospitality Management
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture
 (Chicago, Glendale Heights, Peoria, Rockford, Libertyville, Bridgeview, Harlem)

Programs Offered:

Root
Computer Systems Institute
 (Gurnee, Elgin, Chicago)

Programs Offered:

Computer Networking, Computer Repair, Health Information Technology, Medical Coding, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Management, Medical Assistant, Computer Applications, Information Systems
The Ohio and Illinois Centers for Broadcasting
 (Chicago Suburbs, Chicago Downtown)

Programs Offered:

Root

Programs Offered:

Root