Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Cost is resident tuition plus required fees, 2023-24.
Associate Degrees in Illinois
37
Meet the Ranking Threshold
30
Median Resident Tuition and Fees
$10,446
With a Fully Online Option
5
General Studies Associate Degrees in Illinois
Of the 30 general studies associate degrees ranked in Illinois, every one is at a public community college, and 7 more sit below the threshold with 1 to 9 degrees each. The ranked list splits in two. Seven are City Colleges of Chicago campuses, Wright, Truman, Kennedy-King, Harold Washington, Malcolm X, Daley and Olive-Harvey, which share an $11,520 resident rate for tuition and fees and graduate between 18% and 32% of their students. The other 23 mostly cost less and finish more.
William Rainey Harper College in Palatine has the top score at 58.9, 116th in the national associate ranking, on 139 degrees a year and a 48% graduation rate at $9,990. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges in Olney matches the 58.9 and ranks 117th, on completion instead: a 63% graduation rate, the highest among the 30, on 51 degrees at $10,270 with an online option. Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills scores 58.2 as the largest program in the state, 320 degrees a year at $8,502 with a 40% graduation rate, and Shawnee Community College in Ullin scores 57.7 by graduating 60% on 22 degrees at $7,200.
Tuition and fees across the ranked 30 run from $6,960 at Lincoln Land Community College to $13,835 at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, and graduation rates from 18% at Malcolm X College to Illinois Eastern's 63%. Four ranked programs can be finished online, and below the threshold John A Logan College in Carterville lists $5,990 with a 46% graduation rate.
The 30 Best General Studies Associate Degrees in Illinois
The best general studies associate degrees in Illinois are ranked below by their national score, from the national associate degree ranking. The number on each card is the program's place in Illinois. Each needed at least 10 graduates in the latest year to be ranked.
1
William Rainey Harper College
Illinois
58.9- Public
- College graduation rate
- 48%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,990 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 139
About the Program
Some 13,988 students attend William Rainey Harper College, a public community college in Palatine, Illinois. It conferred 139 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 68% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at William Rainey Harper College, 48% graduate, and that beats 81 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Expect tuition and fees of $9,990 a year as a resident and $11,802 otherwise. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 81st percentile.
2
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
Illinois
58.9- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 63%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $10,270 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 51
About the Program
Olney, Illinois is home to Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, a public community college of 3,726 students. Some 51 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 39% of the programs ranked alongside it. Of the students who start at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, 63% graduate, and that beats 98 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees run $10,270 a year in state against $12,340 out of state, so on price it sits at the 17th percentile. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 98th percentile.
3
Carl Sandburg College
Illinois
58.5- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 50%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $7,910 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 59
About the Program
Carl Sandburg College is a public community college in Galesburg, Illinois that enrolls 1,603 students. Some 59 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 44% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 50% graduation rate puts the college at the 85th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Residents pay $7,910 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $8,810. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 85th percentile.
4
Moraine Valley Community College
Illinois
58.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 40%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $8,502 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 320
About the Program
Moraine Valley Community College is a public community college in Palos Hills, Illinois that enrolls 11,296 students. Some 320 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 84% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 40% graduation rate puts the college at the 65th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees are $8,502 a year for residents and $9,846 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 27% of programs at this level. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 84th percentile.
5
Shawnee Community College
Illinois
57.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 60%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $7,200 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 22
About the Program
Based in Ullin, Illinois, Shawnee Community College is a public community college with 1,156 students on its rolls. Some 22 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 18% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 60% graduation rate puts the college at the 95th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Expect tuition and fees of $7,200 a year as a resident and $7,500 otherwise. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 95th percentile.
6
Illinois Central College
Illinois
57.5- Public
- College graduation rate
- 49%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,348 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 90
About the Program
Illinois Central College is a public community college in East Peoria, Illinois that enrolls 7,906 students. Some 90 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 55% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 49% graduation rate puts the college at the 83rd percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees run $9,348 a year in state against $11,654 out of state, so on price it sits at the 21st percentile. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 83rd percentile.
7
Kaskaskia College
Illinois
54.9- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 49%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $7,770 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 41
About the Program
Kaskaskia College is a public community college in Centralia, Illinois that enrolls 3,669 students. It conferred 41 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 32% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Kaskaskia College, 49% graduate, and that beats 83 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $7,770 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $12,570. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 83rd percentile.
8
Lincoln Land Community College
Illinois
53.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 48%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,960 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 30
About the Program
Springfield, Illinois is home to Lincoln Land Community College, a public community college of 5,677 students. The program's last federal report shows 30 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 26 in every 100 programs measured here. A 48% graduation rate puts the college at the 81st percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees run $6,960 a year in state against $10,248 out of state, so on price it sits at the 36th percentile. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 81st percentile.
9
Richland Community College
Illinois
49.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 60%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $10,800 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 14
About the Program
Some 2,388 students attend Richland Community College, a public community college in Decatur, Illinois. During the most recent year on record it awarded 14 associate's degrees, a count at the 9th percentile for size. Of the students who start at Richland Community College, 60% graduate, and that beats 95 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $10,800 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $17,070. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 95th percentile.
10
Danville Area Community College
Illinois
48.9- Public
- College graduation rate
- 45%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,200 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 35
About the Program
Danville, Illinois is home to Danville Area Community College, a public community college of 2,297 students. Some 35 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 29% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 45% graduation rate puts the college at the 77th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Every student pays $9,200 a year in tuition and fees, since the college sets one rate. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 77th percentile.
11
Highland Community College
Illinois
46.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 45%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,976 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 11
About the Program
Based in Freeport, Illinois, Highland Community College is a public community college with 1,360 students on its rolls. During the most recent year on record it awarded 11 associate's degrees, a count at the 4th percentile for size. Across the whole college, 45% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 77% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $6,976 a year as a resident and $7,120 otherwise. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 77th percentile.
12
Waubonsee Community College
Illinois
42.5- Public
- College graduation rate
- 39%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,369 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 55
About the Program
Sugar Grove, Illinois is home to Waubonsee Community College, a public community college of 8,305 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 55 associate's degrees, a count at the 41st percentile for size. Of the students who start at Waubonsee Community College, 39% graduate, and that beats 62 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees are $11,369 a year for residents and $12,330 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 15% of programs at this level. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 62nd percentile.
13
Spoon River College
Illinois
39.6- Public
- College graduation rate
- 42%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,460 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 19
About the Program
Based in Canton, Illinois, Spoon River College is a public community college with 1,247 students on its rolls. It conferred 19 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 15% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 42%, the 70th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents pay $11,460 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $12,540. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 70th percentile.
14
Parkland College
Illinois
38.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,642 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 90
About the Program
Champaign, Illinois is home to Parkland College, a public community college of 6,014 students. Some 90 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 55% of the programs ranked alongside it. Of the students who start at Parkland College, 32% graduate, and that beats 41 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Expect tuition and fees of $9,642 a year as a resident and $13,266 otherwise. Its strongest mark is the number of degrees it awards, at the 55th percentile.
15
Illinois Valley Community College
Illinois
36.2- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 42%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $13,835 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 13
About the Program
Some 2,720 students attend Illinois Valley Community College, a public community college in Oglesby, Illinois. The program's last federal report shows 13 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 7 in every 100 programs measured here. A 42% graduation rate puts the college at the 70th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees are $13,835 a year for residents and $14,981 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 9% of programs at this level. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 70th percentile.
16
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College
Illinois
35.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 31%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,520 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 101
About the Program
Chicago, Illinois is home to City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College, a public community college of 7,798 students. It conferred 101 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 59% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. A 31% graduation rate puts the college at the 37th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Expect tuition and fees of $11,520 a year as a resident and $14,430 otherwise. What lifts it most is the number of degrees it awards, where it reaches the 59th percentile.
17
McHenry County College
Illinois
34.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 37%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $10,529 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 21
About the Program
Crystal Lake, Illinois is home to McHenry County College, a public community college of 9,399 students. Some 21 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 17% of the programs ranked alongside it. Its college-wide graduation rate is 37%, the 56th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents pay $10,529 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $14,885. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 56th percentile.
18
Oakton College
Illinois
32.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 37%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $10,446 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 14
About the Program
Oakton College is a public community college in Des Plaines, Illinois that enrolls 8,329 students. The program's last federal report shows 14 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 9 in every 100 programs measured here. Its college-wide graduation rate is 37%, the 56th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees run $10,446 a year in state against $12,462 out of state, so on price it sits at the 16th percentile. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 56th percentile.
19
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College
Illinois
31.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,520 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 45
About the Program
Chicago, Illinois is home to City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College, a public community college of 6,839 students. It conferred 45 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 36% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. A 32% graduation rate puts the college at the 41st percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees run $11,520 a year in state against $14,430 out of state, so on price it sits at the 13th percentile. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 41st percentile.
20
Kankakee Community College
Illinois
29.0- Public
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $13,320 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 35
About the Program
Some 2,564 students attend Kankakee Community College, a public community college in Kankakee, Illinois. During the most recent year on record it awarded 35 associate's degrees, a count at the 29th percentile for size. Its college-wide graduation rate is 32%, the 41st percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees are $13,320 a year for residents and $25,680 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 10% of programs at this level. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 41st percentile.
21
College of DuPage
Illinois
28.8- Public
- College graduation rate
- 25%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $10,410 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 103
About the Program
College of DuPage is a public community college in Glen Ellyn, Illinois that enrolls 26,224 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 103 associate's degrees, a count at the 61st percentile for size. A 25% graduation rate puts the college at the 19th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees run $10,410 a year in state against $12,510 out of state, so on price it sits at the 17th percentile. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 61st percentile.
22
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
Illinois
28.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 31%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,520 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 39
About the Program
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College is a public community college in Chicago, Illinois that enrolls 3,274 students. Some 39 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 31% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 31% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 37% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $11,520 a year as a resident and $14,430 otherwise. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 37th percentile.
23
Triton College
Illinois
28.0- Public
- College graduation rate
- 29%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,790 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 65
About the Program
Some 9,842 students attend Triton College, a public community college in River Grove, Illinois. It conferred 65 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 45% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 29%, the 29th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Expect tuition and fees of $11,790 a year as a resident and $14,880 otherwise. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 45th percentile.
24
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College
Illinois
27.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 26%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,520 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 93
About the Program
Based in Chicago, Illinois, City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College is a public community college with 6,121 students on its rolls. During the most recent year on record it awarded 93 associate's degrees, a count at the 56th percentile for size. A 26% graduation rate puts the college at the 21st percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Expect tuition and fees of $11,520 a year as a resident and $14,430 otherwise. On the number of degrees it awards it does best, reaching the 56th percentile.
25
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College
Illinois
24.8- Public
- College graduation rate
- 18%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,520 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 182
About the Program
Chicago, Illinois is home to City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College, a public community college of 9,303 students. The program's last federal report shows 182 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 73 in every 100 programs measured here. Of the students who start at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College, 18% graduate, and that beats 6 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees are $11,520 a year for residents and $14,430 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 13% of programs at this level. Its strongest mark is the number of degrees it awards, at the 73rd percentile.
26
Joliet Junior College
Illinois
24.0- Public
- College graduation rate
- 21%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $12,750 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 112
About the Program
Joliet, Illinois is home to Joliet Junior College, a public community college of 14,414 students. Some 112 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 64% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 21% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 11% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees are $12,750 a year for residents and $13,800 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 11% of programs at this level. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 64th percentile.
27
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Illinois
22.9- Public
- College graduation rate
- 27%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,520 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 43
About the Program
Chicago, Illinois is home to City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College, a public community college of 6,296 students. Some 43 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 34% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 27% graduation rate puts the college at the 24th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees run $11,520 a year in state against $14,430 out of state, so on price it sits at the 13th percentile. Its strongest mark is the number of degrees it awards, at the 34th percentile.
28
Prairie State College
Illinois
21.6- Public
- College graduation rate
- 21%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,342 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 55
About the Program
Chicago Heights, Illinois is home to Prairie State College, a public community college of 2,953 students. It conferred 55 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 41% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 21%, the 11th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents pay $9,342 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $11,064. On the number of degrees it awards it does best, reaching the 41st percentile.
29
South Suburban College
Illinois
18.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 28%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,033 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 13
About the Program
South Holland, Illinois is home to South Suburban College, a public community college of 3,818 students. Some 13 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 7% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 28% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 26% of the institutions behind this list. Residents pay $11,033 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $12,683. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 26th percentile.
30
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College
Illinois
14.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 21%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,520 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 27
About the Program
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College is a public community college in Chicago, Illinois that enrolls 3,137 students. It conferred 27 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 24% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. A 21% graduation rate puts the college at the 11th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Residents pay $11,520 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $14,430. Its strongest mark is the number of degrees it awards, at the 24th percentile.
Other General Studies Associate Degrees in Illinois
The other general studies associate degrees in Illinois awarded fewer than 10 degrees in the latest year or did not report a figure the ranking uses, so they are listed here without a score. That says something about size and nothing on its own about quality.
| College | Degrees Awarded | Graduation Rate | Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Lake County, Grayslake | 9 | 37% | $10,531 |
| John A Logan College, Carterville | 7 | 46% | $5,990 |
| Black Hawk College, Moline | 5 | 40% | $7,950 |
| Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey | 4 | 44% | $9,552 |
| Kishwaukee College, Malta | 1 | 45% | $9,390 |
| Rock Valley College, Rockford | 1 | 37% | $10,274 |
| St. Augustine College, Chicago | 1 | 17% | $13,288 |
Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Graduation rate is the college's, for first-time, full-time students.
How Much Does a General Studies Associate Degree Cost in Illinois?
A general studies associate degree in Illinois costs a median of $10,446 a year in resident tuition and required fees for 2023-24 across the 37 programs, and the full range runs from $5,990 at John A Logan College in Carterville, which sits below the ranking threshold, to $13,835 at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby. Among the ranked 30, Lincoln Land in Springfield is lowest at $6,960, then Highland at $6,976 and Shawnee at $7,200. The seven City Colleges of Chicago share one $11,520 rate, Kankakee lists $13,320, and Danville Area charges residents and non-residents the same $9,200.
The state grant for this level is the Monetary Award Program, and two of its rules suit community college students. You stay eligible enrolled for a minimum of three credit hours, for either a semester or quarter term, so one class a term keeps the grant alive. And the maximum MAP grant available to a recipient attending a public community college is limited to the in-district tuition and mandatory fees, which at Lincoln Land's $6,960 means a full award comes close to the whole bill. MAP pays tuition and mandatory fees only, so books and transport are yours.
Will a General Studies Associate Degree Transfer in Illinois?
A general studies associate degree transfers in Illinois when it's built on the IAI general education package and awarded under one of the four degree titles state law protects, and both are worth checking before you enroll. The Illinois Articulation Initiative is a statewide transfer agreement, which is transferable among more than 100 participating colleges and universities in Illinois. Its General Education Core Curriculum is a set of 12 to 13 courses (37 to 41 semester credit hours) and it transfers as a package to satisfy the general education requirements at participating IAI schools.
The second condition is the degree's name. Under the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, an associate degree for transfer means an Associate in Arts, Associate in Engineering Science, Associate in Fine Arts or Associate in Science. Earn one of those, meet the major prerequisites and finish with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and you're deemed eligible for a State university's bachelor's program. Ask which award your college confers.
Illinois also legislated reverse transfer. Public Act 100-0824 requires a policy to foster the reverse transfer of credit for any student who has accumulated at least 15 hours of academic credit at a community college and then earns enough at a State university to complete the associate degree.
What Do Jobs With a General Studies Associate Degree Pay in Illinois?
Jobs open to a general studies associate degree in Illinois pay the state medians below, from the May 2025 federal wage survey, with the national median beside each for comparison. Each row links to the salary guide for that job.
How to Choose a General Studies Associate Degree Program in Illinois
How to choose a general studies associate degree program in Illinois comes down to graduation rate, because the colleges that award the most degrees are not the ones that graduate the most students. Illinois Eastern graduates 63%, Shawnee and Richland 60%, Carl Sandburg 50%, Illinois Central and Kaskaskia 49%, while the three largest programs, Moraine Valley at 320 degrees, Malcolm X at 182 and Harper at 139, graduate 40%, 18% and 48%. Price cuts across that: Lincoln Land charges $6,960 and graduates 48%, Highland $6,976 and 45%, Shawnee $7,200 and 60%.
Illinois Eastern, Carl Sandburg in Galesburg, Kaskaskia in Centralia and Illinois Valley in Oglesby are the four ranked programs with an online option, and Illinois Eastern pairs online study with the highest completion rate on the list. If you plan to continue to a bachelor's, ask which award the degree is granted under, because state law counts only an Associate in Arts, Associate in Engineering Science, Associate in Fine Arts or Associate in Science as an associate degree for transfer, and ask whether the degree completes the full IAI general education package or only part of it.
If you plan to finish a bachelor's in the state, the general studies bachelor's degrees in Illinois have their own page.
Common Questions About General Studies Associate Degrees in Illinois
What Does the Lowest-Priced Ranked General Studies Associate Degree in Illinois Cost?
Which Illinois Community College Finishes the Largest Share of Its General Studies Students?
Which Illinois General Studies Associate Degrees Can Be Completed Online?
Do the City Colleges of Chicago Rank for a General Studies Associate Degree?
Does a MAP Grant Cover the Whole Cost of a General Studies Associate Degree at an Illinois Community College?
Where Do the Figures on This Illinois Page Come From?
- About IAI
- IAI General Education Core Curriculum
- Public Act 104-0402 (SB1958), amending the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act
- Public Act 100-0824 (SB2354), adding Section 23 to the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act
- 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2735.20, Monetary Award Program (MAP), Applicant Eligibility
- 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2735.30, Monetary Award Program (MAP), Program Procedures
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, state estimates