Founded in 1901. Joliet Junior College carries the distinction of being the United States' first public community college. It offers associate's degree programs in arts, science and applied science, as well as two certification programs: certificate of achievement and certificate of completion.
Joliet Junior College
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431
815-729-9020
www.jjc.cc.il.us/Pages/default.aspx
This community college district includes seven colleges and 11 satellite locations within the Chicago area. Campuses offer associate's degrees, transfer credits for bachelor's degrees at four-year colleges and universities, adult education classes and online classes. Some locations provide unique offerings, including the Center for Creative Aging at Harold Washington College (geared toward students in late middle age) and the Washburne Culinary Institute of Kennedy-King College. The seven colleges are Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S. Truman College, Harold Washington College and Wilbur Wright College.
City Colleges of Chicago
District Office
226 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60606
312-553-2500
www.ccc.edu/index.asp
"Community College Week" ranked William Rainey Harper College one of the top 100 associate's degree producers of 2010. Harper College offers academic programs for full- or part-time students, continuing education students, high school students, adult students, ESL students and international students. It also offers GED preparation courses.
William Rainey Harper College
1200 W. Algonquin Road
Palatine, IL 60067-7398
847-925-6000
goforward.harpercollege.edu
Highland Community College provides a full-range of courses from history and liberal arts to web design and emergency medical services (EMS). General associate's degrees are available for students planning on transferring to a senior college for their bachelor's degree.
Highland Community College
2998 West Pearl City Road
Freeport, IL 61032
815-235-6121
www.highland.cc.il.us
In addition to traditional associate's degrees and community classes, Rock Valley College provides opportunities for study at eight international schools. Students may spend a semester abroad in Austria, England, Costa Rica, France, Ireland, Spain or China.
Rock Valley College
3301 North Mulford Road
Rockford, IL 61114
800-973-7821
www.rockvalleycollege.edu
Located in the far northeast sector of the state, College of Lake County provides all the degree and community classes typical of a community college. It also offers internships at Walt Disney World Resort through its Disney College Program.
College of Lake County
19351 West Washington Street
Grayslake, IL 60030-1198
847-543-2000
www.clcillinois.edu/index.asp
Illinois Valley Community College offers associate in applied science degrees, associate in arts degrees, and certificates. Certificates are geared for specific vocational careers (such as computer aided drafting and therapeutic massage) and the course of study ranges from one to four semesters.
Illinois Valley Community College
815 North Orlando Smith Ave.
Oglesby, IL 61348
815-224-2720
www.ivcc.edu
In addition to associate's degrees in science, applied science and arts, Sauk Valley Community College also offers associate's degrees in teaching, engineering science and fine arts, as well as liberal studies degrees. Vocational certificates include graphic design, nursing, welding and computer information systems. Sauk Valley Community College sponsors an AmeriCorps program as well.
Sauk Valley Community College
173 IL Rt. 2
Dixon, IL 61021
815-288-5511
www.svcc.edu/index.html
Black Hawk College provides degree programs, certification programs (including pre-law, music and equestrian science), adult education classes, online courses, and business training classes.
Black Hawk College
6600 34th Ave.
Moline, IL 61265-5899
800-334-1311
bhc.edu