2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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.
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Top Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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