Illinois Central College is a public, accredited institution with the goal of preparing students for careers, for transfers to baccalaureate programs, and for life-long learning. The college's main campus is in East Peoria, but it has satellite campuses downtown and in north Peoria. ICC offers 16 career clusters, ranging from agriculture and automotive technology to the culinary arts, health careers, and tourism as of 2011. The school also offers an intercollegiate sports program, as well as a variety of extracurricular options, including music, theater and membership in service organizations.
Midwest Technical Institute is a private, accredited college with its main campus in East Peoria and branch campuses in Springfield and Moline. The school offers nine-month training programs for students seeking employment as welders, massage therapists, medical and dental assistants, and pharmacy technicians. The school also offers a seven-week basic nursing assistant course. MTI offers financial aid and job placement assistance to qualifying students. The school makes use of small class sizes and extensive hands-on training to provide a personalized learning experience.
The Oehrlein School of Cosmetology, founded in 1973 and located in East Peoria, offers a 1,500-hour cosmetology course aimed at preparing students to pass the state board exam. The school uses the Pivot Point method, a blend of classroom theory and clinical practice that teaches the "why" as well as the "how." Oehrlein's program prepares students for all aspects of salon service, including nails, aesthetics and make-up application. Students also receive training in labor law, client relations, and marketing. Financial aid in the form of Pell grants and federal loans is available to qualifying students as of 2011.
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, locate across the river from East Peoria in downtown Peoria, is housed on the campus of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, one of the nation's largest Catholic health care facilities as of 2011. The school offers bachelor and master of science degrees in nursing, as well as a doctor of nursing practice degree. The college has a low student-faculty ratio, uses traditional and online learning techniques, and places high priority on financial aid.