Trade Schools in Illinois
Two paths into the skilled trades in Illinois. Compare both before you commit.
Path 1 · Trade School
404 programs
at 124 Illinois schools · pay tuition, finish faster
Top-paying program
$142,516/yr
Electrical Installation · City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
Avg grad earnings
$36,991/yr
first year after graduation
Path 2 · Apprenticeship
20 trades
959 registered sponsors · get paid to learn
Top-paying trade
$105,970/yr
Electrical Power-Line Worker · median wage
Avg median wage
$77,938/yr
across all apprenticeable trades
Apprenticeship Trades in Illinois
Earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship pathways available in Illinois, sorted by median wage. Click any trade to see Illinois-specific sponsors and live openings.
| Trade | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator & Escalator Mechanic | $130,070 | 970 |
| Electrical Power-Line Worker | $105,970 | 3,670 |
| Ironworker | $102,260 | 100 |
| Electrician | $96,360 | 22,880 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | $96,200 | 18,730 |
| Boilermaker | $95,340 | 150 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $93,570 | 4,240 |
| Bricklayer & Blockmason | $86,330 | 2,850 |
| Firefighter | $79,080 | 14,510 |
| Carpenter | $76,410 | 24,930 |
| HVAC Technician | $71,620 | 8,510 |
| Roofer | $66,940 | 6,070 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $66,770 | 9,460 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $62,750 | 9,920 |
| Construction Painter | $62,390 | 6,700 |
| Glazier | $59,990 | 2,180 |
| Machinist | $56,700 | 16,100 |
| Automotive Mechanic | $50,450 | 26,710 |
| Insulation Worker | $49,840 | 1,060 |
| Welder | $49,730 | 17,340 |
See the full Illinois apprenticeship picture — sponsors + live openings →
Browse by City in Illinois
Narrow to your metro — each city page shows local trade schools, programs, and (where available) apprenticeship listings.
Trade School Programs in Illinois
Most common skilled trade programs at Illinois trade schools. Pick a trade to compare programs across Illinois.
Welding & Metalworking
$33,137/yr avg grad
Vehicle Repair Technology
$44,307/yr avg grad
Truck Driving & CDL
$37,143/yr avg grad
HVAC Technology
$33,447/yr avg grad
Electrical Installation
$56,981/yr avg grad
Plumbing
$82,055/yr avg grad
Heavy Equipment Technology
$61,677/yr avg grad
Electrical Repair Technology
$55,807/yr avg grad
Aviation
$39,956/yr avg grad
Carpentry
$17,697/yr avg grad
Construction Trades
$12,838/yr avg grad
Highest-paying trade program in Illinois: Electrical Installation at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College — $142,516/yr first-year earnings. See full state rankings →
Browse by Category
Skilled Trades (38)
Healthcare (158)
Engineering & Technology (14)
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (8)
Personal Services (59)
Business & Office (21)
Agriculture & Natural Resources (8)
Education (2)
Arts & Design (4)
Family & Consumer Sciences (5)
Other Programs (87)
Skilled Trades (38 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck Driving & CDL | Elgin Community College Elgin |
90 | $51,945/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
88 | $49,142/yr |
| Electrical Installation | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago |
87 | $142,516/yr |
| Plumbing | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago |
82 | $82,055/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
77 | $48,308/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Rock Valley College Rockford |
75 | $41,625/yr |
| Heavy Equipment Technology | Rend Lake College Ina |
74 | $61,677/yr |
| Electrical Repair Technology | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
73 | $55,807/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Illinois Central College East Peoria |
72 | $58,122/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Parkland College Champaign |
70 | $51,093/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College Chicago |
70 | $24,356/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
67 | $36,234/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
66 | $37,195/yr |
| Truck Driving & CDL | Shawnee Community College Ullin |
64 | $24,036/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
63 | $33,298/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
62 | $31,692/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park Melrose Park |
61 | $40,219/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc Lisle |
59 | $41,147/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park Melrose Park |
58 | $35,880/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Olney Central College Olney |
58 | $30,893/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park Melrose Park |
57 | $37,089/yr |
| Electrical Installation | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
57 | $34,080/yr |
| Electrical Installation | HVAC Technical Institute Chicago |
56 | $32,208/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
55 | $28,504/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Lake Land College Mattoon |
55 | $27,808/yr |
| Vehicle Repair Technology | Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park Melrose Park |
54 | $32,767/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park Melrose Park |
53 | $39,408/yr |
| HVAC Technology | HVAC Technical Institute Chicago |
52 | $41,644/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc Lisle |
52 | $37,568/yr |
| HVAC Technology | ETI School of Skilled Trades Willowbrook |
51 | $39,169/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Elgin Community College Elgin |
51 | $24,513/yr |
| Aviation | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale |
49 | $39,956/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
49 | $31,630/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | ETI School of Skilled Trades Willowbrook |
48 | $31,068/yr |
| Carpentry | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago |
47 | $17,697/yr |
| Welding & Metalworking | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
45 | $30,807/yr |
| HVAC Technology | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
44 | $33,403/yr |
| Construction Trades | Lake Land College Mattoon |
35 | $12,838/yr |
Healthcare (158 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Elgin Community College Elgin |
87 | $71,721/yr |
| Nursing | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills |
86 | $73,137/yr |
| Nursing | Joliet Junior College Joliet |
86 | $71,988/yr |
| Nursing | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
86 | $70,929/yr |
| Nursing | Oakton College Des Plaines |
86 | $69,434/yr |
| Nursing | Rock Valley College Rockford |
86 | $68,229/yr |
| Nursing | Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove |
86 | $66,440/yr |
| Health Administration | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
86 | $52,904/yr |
| Nursing | College of Lake County Grayslake |
85 | $72,472/yr |
| Nursing | Prairie State College Chicago Heights |
85 | $68,277/yr |
| Nursing | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
85 | $66,279/yr |
| Nursing | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
84 | $70,086/yr |
| Nursing | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
84 | $69,105/yr |
| Nursing | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
84 | $65,290/yr |
| Nursing | Morton College Cicero |
84 | $65,090/yr |
| Nursing | Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby |
84 | $62,734/yr |
| Nursing | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
84 | $60,115/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Olney Central College Olney |
84 | $56,008/yr |
| Nursing | Richland Community College Decatur |
83 | $68,635/yr |
| Nursing | John A Logan College Carterville |
83 | $67,691/yr |
| Nursing | Illinois Central College East Peoria |
83 | $65,741/yr |
| Nursing | Rend Lake College Ina |
83 | $63,852/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Illinois Central College East Peoria |
83 | $55,604/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Shawnee Community College Ullin |
83 | $54,323/yr |
| Nursing | Kankakee Community College Kankakee |
82 | $66,261/yr |
| Nursing | Lake Land College Mattoon |
82 | $63,651/yr |
| Nursing | Triton College River Grove |
82 | $63,003/yr |
| Nursing | Olney Central College Olney |
82 | $59,329/yr |
| Nursing | Danville Area Community College Danville |
81 | $67,152/yr |
| Nursing | Carl Sandburg College Galesburg |
81 | $66,508/yr |
| Nursing | Kaskaskia College Centralia |
81 | $63,081/yr |
| Nursing | Highland Community College Freeport |
81 | $62,499/yr |
| Nursing | Graham Hospital School of Nursing Canton |
81 | $60,300/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Rend Lake College Ina |
81 | $49,729/yr |
| Nursing | John Wood Community College Quincy |
80 | $67,467/yr |
| Nursing | Heartland Community College Normal |
80 | $66,171/yr |
| Nursing | Black Hawk College Moline |
80 | $61,000/yr |
| Nursing | Sauk Valley Community College Dixon |
79 | $62,129/yr |
| Nursing | Shawnee Community College Ullin |
79 | $56,641/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Black Hawk College Moline |
79 | $45,993/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Kaskaskia College Centralia |
78 | $43,289/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Richland Community College Decatur |
78 | $43,042/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Lake Land College Mattoon |
78 | $41,756/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
77 | $64,113/yr |
| Practical Nursing | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
77 | $36,528/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Elgin Community College Elgin |
76 | $46,319/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
75 | $65,443/yr |
| Practical Nursing | John A Logan College Carterville |
75 | $39,802/yr |
| Medical Assisting | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
75 | $36,111/yr |
| Health Administration | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
75 | $33,090/yr |
| Nursing | Ambria College of Nursing Hoffman Estates |
74 | $75,461/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
74 | $53,786/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
74 | $53,537/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Oakton College Des Plaines |
74 | $52,161/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
74 | $51,602/yr |
| Medical Assisting | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
74 | $40,196/yr |
| Practical Nursing | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
73 | $36,493/yr |
| Health Administration | Lake Land College Mattoon |
73 | $31,542/yr |
| Nursing | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
72 | $68,119/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Capital Area Career Center Springfield |
72 | $52,517/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Ambria College of Nursing Hoffman Estates |
71 | $64,712/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
71 | $63,963/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
71 | $62,471/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Sauk Valley Community College Dixon |
71 | $36,277/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby |
71 | $29,115/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Verve College Oak Brook |
70 | $63,593/yr |
| Nursing | Northwestern College Oak Lawn |
70 | $62,746/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Triton College River Grove |
70 | $62,280/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
70 | $57,296/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills |
70 | $55,739/yr |
| Dental Assisting | College of Lake County Grayslake |
69 | $63,080/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Rock Valley College Rockford |
69 | $59,574/yr |
| Dental Assisting | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
69 | $56,767/yr |
| Practical Nursing | CAAN Academy of Nursing Matteson |
69 | $55,822/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
69 | $54,276/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
69 | $53,897/yr |
| Medical Assisting | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
69 | $35,140/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
69 | $32,224/yr |
| Health Administration | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
69 | $31,454/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
69 | $29,851/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Rock Valley College Rockford |
69 | $27,497/yr |
| Dental Assisting | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
68 | $59,215/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Lake Land College Mattoon |
68 | $58,853/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Joliet Junior College Joliet |
68 | $57,778/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Illinois Central College East Peoria |
68 | $56,637/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Parkland College Champaign |
68 | $55,060/yr |
| Practical Nursing | MDT College of Health Sciences Chicago |
68 | $54,894/yr |
| Medical Assisting | South Suburban College South Holland |
68 | $46,568/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
68 | $45,271/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Morton College Cicero |
68 | $42,975/yr |
| Medical Assisting | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
68 | $42,274/yr |
| Practical Nursing | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
68 | $31,086/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Kankakee Community College Kankakee |
67 | $54,757/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Prairie State College Chicago Heights |
67 | $30,067/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Kishwaukee College Malta |
66 | $50,290/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Career Center of Southern Illinois Red Bud |
66 | $45,941/yr |
| Medical Assisting | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago |
66 | $40,148/yr |
| Medical Assisting | John A Logan College Carterville |
66 | $31,837/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Danville Area Community College Danville |
66 | $26,484/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | South Suburban College South Holland |
65 | $52,242/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | College of Lake County Grayslake |
65 | $50,103/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Rend Lake College Ina |
65 | $48,950/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Kishwaukee College Malta |
65 | $26,141/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Parkland College Champaign |
64 | $47,133/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Black Hawk College Moline |
64 | $39,761/yr |
| Medical Assisting | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
64 | $37,908/yr |
| Practical Nursing | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
64 | $22,351/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Carl Sandburg College Galesburg |
63 | $51,566/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Richland Community College Decatur |
63 | $46,542/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Parkland College Champaign |
63 | $36,872/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Prairie State College Chicago Heights |
63 | $35,362/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Lake Land College Mattoon |
63 | $32,934/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Sauk Valley Community College Dixon |
62 | $48,160/yr |
| Health Administration | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
62 | $39,372/yr |
| Health Administration | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
62 | $33,372/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
62 | $31,607/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Lake Land College Mattoon |
62 | $28,124/yr |
| Health Administration | DeVry University-Illinois Lisle |
60 | $37,750/yr |
| Health Administration | Joliet Junior College Joliet |
60 | $28,246/yr |
| Health Administration | DeVry University-Illinois Lisle |
59 | $31,841/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
59 | $31,324/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences Rock Island |
58 | $48,318/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Fox College Tinley Park |
58 | $42,418/yr |
| Medical Assisting | First Institute of Travel Inc. Crystal Lake |
58 | $33,597/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Midwestern Career College Chicago |
57 | $44,964/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale |
57 | $40,034/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Midwestern Career College Chicago |
57 | $31,998/yr |
| Health Administration | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
57 | $24,993/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
56 | $51,036/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Midwestern Career College Chicago |
56 | $42,091/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park Melrose Park |
56 | $31,098/yr |
| Health Administration | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
56 | $29,130/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
56 | $28,481/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Fox College Tinley Park |
55 | $57,717/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
53 | $35,350/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
53 | $29,532/yr |
| Health Administration | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
53 | $27,646/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Danville Area Community College Danville |
53 | $22,812/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
52 | $43,637/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
52 | $26,947/yr |
| Medical Assisting | State Career College Gurnee |
52 | $26,123/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
52 | $25,826/yr |
| Allied Health Professions | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
51 | $42,769/yr |
| Medical Assisting | Northwestern College Oak Lawn |
50 | $28,304/yr |
| Medical Assisting | CALC Institute of Technology Alton |
50 | $23,038/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
49 | $44,021/yr |
| Ophthalmic & Optometric Services | Triton College River Grove |
49 | $34,697/yr |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Midwestern Career College Chicago |
49 | $33,466/yr |
| Dental Assisting | First Institute of Travel Inc. Crystal Lake |
44 | $26,773/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Northwestern College Oak Lawn |
43 | $29,589/yr |
| Dental Assisting | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
42 | $22,815/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Pacific College of Health and Science Chicago |
41 | $21,955/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
40 | $23,708/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Soma Institute-The National School of Clinical Massage Therapy Chicago |
40 | $23,044/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Universal Spa Training Academy Downers Grove |
38 | $19,205/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Estelle Medical Academy Skokie |
37 | $17,673/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
34 | $22,170/yr |
| Massage Therapy | Pacific College of Health and Science Chicago |
32 | $17,304/yr |
Engineering & Technology (14 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT Management | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
77 | $46,355/yr |
| Mining & Petroleum Technology | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
69 | $61,659/yr |
| Mining & Petroleum Technology | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
65 | $58,787/yr |
| IT Management | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
61 | $42,043/yr |
| Computer Networking | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago |
61 | $34,691/yr |
| Computer Networking | DeVry University-Illinois Lisle |
59 | $44,735/yr |
| IT Management | Morrison Institute of Technology Morrison |
58 | $39,065/yr |
| Software Development | DeVry University-Illinois Lisle |
55 | $33,504/yr |
| Information Sciences | St. Augustine College Chicago |
54 | $30,889/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | DeVry University-Illinois Lisle |
50 | $58,056/yr |
| Environmental Technology | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
46 | $31,905/yr |
| Engineering Technology | Morrison Institute of Technology Morrison |
42 | $39,332/yr |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
37 | $28,732/yr |
| Data Entry & Applications | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
36 | $45,016/yr |
Criminal Justice & Public Safety (8 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Protection | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
83 | $77,935/yr |
| Fire Protection | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
73 | $58,160/yr |
| Criminal Justice | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
72 | $38,474/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
72 | $31,763/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
66 | $47,447/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Morton College Cicero |
65 | $31,143/yr |
| Criminal Justice | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
60 | $28,749/yr |
| Criminal Justice | Generations College Chicago |
53 | $28,031/yr |
Personal Services (59 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | Joliet Junior College Joliet |
64 | $28,252/yr |
| Culinary Arts | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
63 | $26,952/yr |
| Culinary Arts | National Louis University Chicago |
57 | $24,786/yr |
| Culinary Arts | Lake Land College Mattoon |
57 | $14,366/yr |
| Culinary Arts | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago |
55 | $19,447/yr |
| Cosmetology | Olney Central College Olney |
52 | $24,120/yr |
| Funeral Service & Mortuary Science | Worsham College of Mortuary Science Wheeling |
48 | $44,194/yr |
| Cosmetology | Lake Land College Mattoon |
47 | $13,714/yr |
| Funeral Service & Mortuary Science | Worsham College of Mortuary Science Wheeling |
46 | $50,043/yr |
| Cosmetology | University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Chicago |
46 | $24,468/yr |
| Cosmetology | Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Peru PERU |
45 | $22,967/yr |
| Cosmetology | Aveda Institute-Chicago Chicago |
45 | $22,351/yr |
| Cosmetology | Cosmetology & Spa Academy Crystal Lake |
45 | $22,096/yr |
| Cosmetology | G Skin & Beauty Institute Schaumburg |
44 | $21,461/yr |
| Cosmetology | University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts Springfield |
44 | $21,114/yr |
| Cosmetology | Bell Mar Beauty College Cicero |
44 | $20,849/yr |
| Cosmetology | Cameo Beauty Academy Oak Lawn |
44 | $20,447/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture Urbana |
44 | $20,228/yr |
| Cosmetology | Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute Skokie |
44 | $20,095/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville Libertyville |
43 | $19,879/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin Elgin |
43 | $19,879/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Normal Normal |
43 | $19,827/yr |
| Cosmetology | Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy Joliet |
43 | $19,587/yr |
| Cosmetology | Hair Professionals School of Cosmetology Oswego |
43 | $19,563/yr |
| Cosmetology | The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Downers Grove |
43 | $19,397/yr |
| Cosmetology | Pivot Point Academy Bloomingdale |
43 | $19,088/yr |
| Cosmetology | G Skin & Beauty Institute Oakbrook |
43 | $18,987/yr |
| Cosmetology | Universal Spa Training Academy Downers Grove |
43 | $18,078/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Chicago Chicago |
43 | $18,073/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Lombard Lombard |
43 | $18,073/yr |
| Cosmetology | Paul Mitchell the School-Tinley Park Tinley Park |
43 | $18,057/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview Bridgeview |
43 | $17,943/yr |
| Cosmetology | Cosmetology Concepts Niles Niles |
43 | $17,903/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Peoria Peoria |
43 | $17,832/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Normal Normal |
43 | $17,832/yr |
| Cosmetology | Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling Sterling |
42 | $17,383/yr |
| Cosmetology | Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford Rockford |
42 | $17,383/yr |
| Cosmetology | Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills Vernon Hills |
42 | $17,113/yr |
| Cosmetology | Empire Beauty School-Stone Park Stone Park |
42 | $17,113/yr |
| Cosmetology | Hair Professionals Career College Palos Hills |
42 | $17,015/yr |
| Cosmetology | Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology Dekalb |
42 | $16,046/yr |
| Cosmetology | Capri Beauty College Oak Forest |
42 | $15,737/yr |
| Cosmetology | Capri Beauty College New Lenox |
42 | $15,737/yr |
| Cosmetology | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield |
42 | $15,576/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW Chicago |
42 | $14,848/yr |
| Cosmetology | Oehrlein School of Cosmetology East Peoria |
42 | $14,763/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Rockford Rockford |
42 | $14,736/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale Heights Glendale Heights |
41 | $13,970/yr |
| Cosmetology | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NE Chicago |
41 | $13,970/yr |
| Cosmetology | Rosel School of Cosmetology Niles |
41 | $13,812/yr |
| Cosmetology | John Amico School of Hair Design Oak Forest |
41 | $13,217/yr |
| Cosmetology | Larry's Barber College Chicago |
41 | $12,461/yr |
| Cosmetology | Larry's Barber College Chicago |
41 | $12,461/yr |
| Cosmetology | Larry's Barber College-Joliet Joliet |
41 | $12,461/yr |
| Cosmetology | Networks Barber College Calumet City |
41 | $12,028/yr |
| Cosmetology | Hair Professionals Career College Sycamore |
41 | $11,529/yr |
| Cosmetology | Phipps Academy of Barbering Richton Park |
41 | $11,369/yr |
| Cosmetology | Cannella School of Hair Design-Chicago Chicago |
41 | $10,607/yr |
| Cosmetology | Trenz Beauty Academy Calumet City |
41 | $10,284/yr |
Business & Office (21 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
87 | $59,982/yr |
| Accounting | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
83 | $52,724/yr |
| Finance | City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Chicago |
81 | $45,261/yr |
| Accounting | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
80 | $42,502/yr |
| Business Administration | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
79 | $46,497/yr |
| Accounting | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
74 | $47,775/yr |
| Business Administration | Joliet Junior College Joliet |
74 | $39,887/yr |
| Accounting | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
70 | $31,747/yr |
| Accounting | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
68 | $47,506/yr |
| Business Administration | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
68 | $43,736/yr |
| Business Administration | Roosevelt University Chicago |
67 | $44,510/yr |
| Business | DeVry University-Illinois Lisle |
66 | $43,716/yr |
| Accounting | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
62 | $43,765/yr |
| Human Resources | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
61 | $45,969/yr |
| Business Administration | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
59 | $28,501/yr |
| Business Administration | Prairie State College Chicago Heights |
58 | $18,885/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
57 | $32,345/yr |
| Marketing | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
56 | $44,293/yr |
| Business Operations Support | Fox College Tinley Park |
55 | $34,923/yr |
| Business Administration | Generations College Chicago |
49 | $17,776/yr |
| Management Information Systems | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
48 | $46,337/yr |
Agriculture & Natural Resources (8 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Mechanization | Lake Land College Mattoon |
64 | $53,448/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Parkland College Champaign |
56 | $39,246/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Joliet Junior College Joliet |
53 | $36,988/yr |
| Horticulture | Lake Land College Mattoon |
47 | $7,972/yr |
| Agricultural Business | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
46 | $22,309/yr |
| Veterinary Technology | Fox College Tinley Park |
45 | $36,853/yr |
| Veterinary Sciences | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
38 | $30,855/yr |
| Animal Sciences | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
33 | $20,690/yr |
Education (2 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
55 | $28,038/yr |
| Teacher Education | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
53 | $28,337/yr |
Arts & Design (4 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
58 | $32,133/yr |
| Design | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
49 | $31,463/yr |
| Design | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
43 | $32,246/yr |
| Film & Photography | Illinois Media School Chicago |
33 | $12,032/yr |
Family & Consumer Sciences (5 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development & Family Studies | City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College Chicago |
67 | $37,381/yr |
| Human Development & Family Studies | City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Chicago |
64 | $34,294/yr |
| Human Development & Family Studies | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
60 | $30,292/yr |
| Human Development & Family Studies | Morton College Cicero |
59 | $23,252/yr |
| Housing & Interiors | Lake Land College Mattoon |
32 | $12,355/yr |
Other Programs (87 programs)
▶| Program | School | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Services | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
65 | $43,980/yr |
| Legal Support Services | College of Lake County Grayslake |
64 | $45,094/yr |
| Legal Support Services | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
61 | $40,429/yr |
| Computer Engineering | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
60 | $48,263/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
59 | $36,908/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | College of Lake County Grayslake |
58 | $37,724/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
56 | $42,994/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield |
55 | $34,164/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
53 | $29,678/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | College of Lake County Grayslake |
52 | $33,413/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | McHenry County College Crystal Lake |
52 | $28,614/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Prairie State College Chicago Heights |
51 | $34,909/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago |
51 | $31,322/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
51 | $27,320/yr |
| Geography & Cartography | DePaul University Chicago |
50 | $47,464/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Chicago |
50 | $33,115/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Triton College River Grove |
50 | $29,069/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
50 | $27,081/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
49 | $40,492/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove |
49 | $24,939/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Chicago |
48 | $29,168/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
48 | $28,678/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | William Rainey Harper College Palatine |
48 | $27,619/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove |
48 | $27,597/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago |
48 | $27,284/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Parkland College Champaign |
48 | $26,547/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Elgin Community College Elgin |
48 | $25,377/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Morton College Cicero |
47 | $31,829/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Joliet Junior College Joliet |
47 | $30,509/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
47 | $30,203/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Illinois Central College East Peoria |
47 | $29,845/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Generations College Chicago |
46 | $43,061/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Chicago |
46 | $32,568/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago |
46 | $32,380/yr |
| Library & Archives | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
46 | $31,514/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Heartland Community College Normal |
46 | $31,250/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Kaskaskia College Centralia |
46 | $30,605/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Highland Community College Freeport |
46 | $30,269/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Rock Valley College Rockford |
46 | $27,601/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Joliet Junior College Joliet |
46 | $27,296/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
46 | $23,662/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Loyola University Chicago Chicago |
45 | $48,819/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Black Hawk College Moline |
45 | $30,390/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Triton College River Grove |
45 | $27,342/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville |
45 | $25,513/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills |
45 | $23,128/yr |
| Human Services | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
44 | $33,870/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | South Suburban College South Holland |
44 | $28,465/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Chicago |
44 | $27,451/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Parkland College Champaign |
44 | $26,912/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Oakton College Des Plaines |
44 | $24,918/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Rend Lake College Ina |
44 | $24,444/yr |
| Public Relations & Advertising | Illinois Media School Chicago |
44 | $21,902/yr |
| Public Relations & Advertising | Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus Chicago |
44 | $21,902/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford |
43 | $35,289/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Danville Area Community College Danville |
43 | $28,045/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College Chicago |
43 | $26,939/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Richland Community College Decatur |
43 | $26,712/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Rend Lake College Ina |
43 | $25,219/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Kishwaukee College Malta |
43 | $24,070/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills |
43 | $23,372/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn |
43 | $22,654/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey |
43 | $22,167/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Rock Valley College Rockford |
43 | $21,956/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago |
42 | $26,130/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Lake Land College Mattoon |
42 | $24,754/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Morton College Cicero |
42 | $22,435/yr |
| International Studies | DePaul University Chicago |
41 | $41,636/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago |
41 | $27,643/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Carl Sandburg College Galesburg |
41 | $27,529/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby |
41 | $22,700/yr |
| Legal Support Services | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford |
40 | $34,421/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College Chicago |
40 | $24,111/yr |
| Broadcasting & Digital Media | Illinois Media School Chicago |
40 | $18,740/yr |
| Broadcasting & Digital Media | Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus Chicago |
40 | $18,740/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby |
40 | $18,345/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College Chicago |
39 | $26,232/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Olney Central College Olney |
39 | $21,307/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | John Wood Community College Quincy |
38 | $24,030/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | John A Logan College Carterville |
38 | $23,892/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Shawnee Community College Ullin |
38 | $23,403/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College Chicago |
38 | $19,982/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | McHenry County College Crystal Lake |
38 | $19,740/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | St. Augustine College Chicago |
37 | $28,804/yr |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago |
37 | $21,207/yr |
| Liberal Arts & Humanities | Kishwaukee College Malta |
37 | $21,090/yr |
| English | MDT College of Health Sciences Chicago |
32 | $24,304/yr |
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Sources & Methodology
Program data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (first-year graduate earnings from IRS tax data). Wage and growth projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024) and Employment Projections 2024–2034. Apprenticeship data: U.S. Department of Labor RAPIDS database and the ApprenticeshipUSA sponsor directory.
Programs on this page are grouped by field of study — Skilled Trades listed first, followed by health sciences, business, and other categories. Click any program for detailed earnings projections and AI-risk analysis by career path.
Data sources cited above. Last updated 2026.