Southwestern Illinois College has a campus in Granite City with an enrollment of approximately 900 students. Programs include associate degrees in arts, science and applied science, designed to provide the first two years of a university education. Two-year programs also are offered in career fields such as aviation electronics, horticulture, marketing management and power plant technology as well as training for electricians, machinists, millwrights, pipefitters, welders, and electronics and instrumentation technicians.
Lewis and Clark Community College, in Godfrey, 23 miles north of Granite City, has an enrollment of 13,500 students. The campus, which is known for its sculptures and fountains, is on the grounds of the former Monticello College, an all-female seminary. The college offers a wide variety of degree and certificate programs, as well as transfer options, GED options, high school partnership options, continuing education options and online classes in some areas.
St. Louis Community College has four campuses in the St. Louis area with a total enrollment of more than 29,000 full- and part-time students. The college offers 15 college-transfer options and more than 100 career programs in the areas of art and design, business, civil and community service, engineering and technology, health and office professions as well as continuing education and developmental and business/industrial training programs. Fees are slightly higher for students who live outside the Junior College District of St. Louis-St. Louis County.
East St. Louis Community College Center is in East St. Louis, Missouri, seven miles south of Granite City. The center offers college classes through Southwestern Illinois College, Kaskaskia College and Shawnee Community College. Programs include child care, nursing, counseling, accounting, art, building trades, forklift training, welding, security officer certification, food service, first aid and others. The center is administered by the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market, a not-for-profit group under the direction of the Illinois Community College Board.