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Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

34 Schools Ranked
$11,348 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$16,229 Avg Student Debt*

Today's healthcare students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 34 schools in Illinois to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for healthcare students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
152 Total Awards
$10,068 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Lincoln Land Community College the best value school in Illinois for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 152 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LLCC are $10,068 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,056 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that LLCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Lincoln Land Community College Report

#2

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois
186 Total Awards
$9,516 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Elgin Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 186 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ECC are $9,516 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,016 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ECC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

ECC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list.

Read More…

#3

Rend Lake College

Ina, Illinois
54 Total Awards
$6,750 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,586 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rend Lake College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rend Lake College is located in Ina, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rend Lake College are $6,750 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,586 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Rend Lake College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#4

Highland Community College

Freeport, Illinois
47 Total Awards
$6,846 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,039 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Highland Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Freeport, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Highland Community College are $6,846 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,039 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Highland Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Highland Community College Report

#5

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois
105 Total Awards
$8,760 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Carl Sandburg College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in Illinois. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 105 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Carl Sandburg College are $8,760 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $9,267 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Carl Sandburg College. In fact, around 83% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Carl Sandburg College Report

#6

John A Logan College

Carterville, Illinois
82 Total Awards
$6,980 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,951 Avg Student Debt

John A Logan College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This small public school is located in Carterville, Illinois, and it awarded 82 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at John A Logan College are $6,980 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,951 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at John A Logan College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on John A Logan College

#7

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois
174 Total Awards
$5,940 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,561 Avg Student Debt

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Belleville, Illinois, and it awarded 174 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

SWIC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,940 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,561 in loans while pursuing their degree.

SWIC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Southwestern Illinois College

#8

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
234 Total Awards
$11,682 Average Tuition & Fees

William Rainey Harper College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Harper College is a fairly large public school situated in Palatine, Illinois. It awarded 234 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Harper College are $11,682 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,799 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Harper College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Harper College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list.

Read full report on William Rainey Harper College

#8

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois
145 Total Awards
$13,906 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Land College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Lake Land College is located in Mattoon, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 associate degrees to qualified students.

Lake Land College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,906 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,990 in student loans.

Lake Land College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#10

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
92 Total Awards
$12,462 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Oakton Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Oakton Community College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 92 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakton Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $12,462 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,398 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Oakton Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.

Oakton Community College also made our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list, coming in at #2.

Read full report on Oakton Community College

#11

Kaskaskia College

Centralia, Illinois
139 Total Awards
$12,330 Average Tuition & Fees

Kaskaskia College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Centralia, Illinois, the small public school handed out 139 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kaskaskia College are $12,330 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,958 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kaskaskia College. In 2019-2020 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Kaskaskia College Report

#12

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
68 Total Awards
$7,650 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Black Hawk College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Moline, Illinois, and it awarded 68 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

BHC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,650 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,002 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at BHC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#13

Rock Valley College

Rockford, Illinois
87 Total Awards
$17,564 Average Tuition & Fees

Rock Valley College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Rock Valley College is a public institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 87 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rock Valley College are $17,564 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,336 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Rock Valley College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#14

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
149 Total Awards
$9,334 Average Tuition & Fees

Moraine Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 149 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

MVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,334 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,988 in student loans.

MVCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Moraine Valley Community College Report

#15

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
143 Total Awards
$10,076 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 143 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Waubonsee are $10,076 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,163 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Waubonsee. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Waubonsee Community College

#16

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
565 Total Awards
$13,883 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen University - Illinois ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 565 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Illinois are $13,883 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - Illinois, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Rasmussen University - Illinois also made our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list, coming in at #1.

Read More…

#17

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois
177 Total Awards
$11,497 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, Illinois Central College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in East Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 177 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

ICC undergraduate students pay an average of $11,497 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,789 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that ICC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#18

Kishwaukee College

Malta, Illinois
69 Total Awards
$13,800 Average Tuition & Fees

Kishwaukee College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Kishwaukee College is a small public school located in Malta, Illinois that handed out 69 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Kishwaukee College are $13,800 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,320 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Kishwaukee College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#19

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
110 Total Awards
$12,824 Average Tuition & Fees

College of Lake County did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 110 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of Lake County are $12,824 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,641 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of Lake County. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#20

John Wood Community College

Quincy, Illinois
77 Total Awards
$8,190 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,755 Avg Student Debt

John Wood Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Located in Quincy, Illinois, the small public school awarded 77 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

John Wood Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,190 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,755 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at John Wood Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#21

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois
51 Total Awards
$8,650 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,192 Avg Student Debt

Danville Area Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Danville, Illinois, the small public school awarded 51 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DACC are $8,650 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,192 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DACC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Danville Area Community College

#22

Richland Community College

Decatur, Illinois
85 Total Awards
$19,260 Average Tuition & Fees

Richland Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Richland Community College is a small public school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 85 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Richland Community College are $19,260 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,918 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Richland Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Richland Community College Report

#23

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
135 Total Awards
$13,980 Average Tuition & Fees

Triton College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Triton College is a medium-sized public school located in River Grove, Illinois that handed out 135 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Triton College are $13,980 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,807 in student loans.

Triton College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Triton College

#24

Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, Illinois
49 Total Awards
$11,064 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,660 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, Prairie State College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Prairie State College is a small public school located in Chicago Heights, Illinois that handed out 49 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Prairie State College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,064 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,660 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Prairie State College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Prairie State College

#24

Lewis and Clark Community College

Godfrey, Illinois
147 Total Awards
$12,552 Average Tuition & Fees

Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Godfrey, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 147 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lewis and Clark Community College are $12,552 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,019 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Lewis and Clark Community College. In fact, around 16% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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