College of DuPage (COD) in Glen Ellyn, Illinois runs on an eight-week semester system. According to the 2010-2011 COD Fact Sheet, the college serves more than 31,000 students each year. It is the second-largest institute of higher learning in the state and provides more than 90 certificate programs and 45 transfer pre-baccalaureate study programs. COD has an open enrollment to support newly graduated high school students and adults wishing to continue their education through credit and non-credit courses. Costs per credit hour for the 2010 - 2011 academic year were $129 for District 502 residents, $316 for out-of-district Illinois residents, and $386 for out-of-state residents.
Morton College was founded in 1924 to serve the students of Cicero's surrounding communities. The community at that time was an economic hub in the Chicago suburbs. The school, which started with 11 teachers and 76 students, moved to its own campus at Pershing and Central Avenue in 1966. The college focuses on workforce skills, but also offers arts programs. In 2011, Morton provided GED preparation courses and credit and non-credit courses. Credit hour fees as of the fall of 2010 were $79 for district residents, $207 for out-of-district Illinois residents, and $271 for out-of-state residents.
Triton College in River Grove, Illinois serves more than 17,000 students a semester. Triton was founded in 1964 in two area high schools, and moved to its own 101-acre campus in 1969. The college has more than 130 certificate programs in the arts, business & technology, allied health, adult education and continuing education. Triton also provides theater, art, and music entertainment for the community. The Cernan Earth and Space center on campus provides educational opportunities and telescope viewing. Credit hour fees for in-district students were $88 for the 2010-11 academic year. The school charged $232.20 per credit hour for out-of-district students and $291.20 for out-of-state/international students.
Rock Valley College is in Rockford, Illinois. The college serves more than 7,300 for-credit students and over 25,000 non-credit students annually. The college sits on a 217-acre campus that includes the Starlight Theater. Degree programs include Associates in the Arts, Engineering Sciences, Teaching and Applied Sciences. Additional programs cover business, medical, technology, and automotive fields. Rock Valley College has a Study Abroad program where students can earn college credit while studying in places like England and Austria. Costs per credit hour as of 2011 were $71 for in-district students, $263 for out-of-district Illinois residents, and $444 for out-of-state and international students.