Illinois Trade Schools 2026: Programs, Costs, Licensing

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Illinois is home to a wide range of skilled trade opportunities, from construction and welding to medical assisting and HVAC. With strong union representation and employer partnerships, the state’s trade schools are preparing students for in-demand, high-paying careers.

Whether you live in Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, or Southern Illinois, there are accredited vocational programs that offer fast, affordable training to prepare you for the workforce; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market.

Best Trade Schools In Illinois

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools, ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#4

Universal Spa Training Academy

Downers Grove, IL In-state option BOC Score 70.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 96.5%
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 156
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $36,558 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Capital Area Career Center

Springfield, IL In-state option BOC Score 66.8
Tuition $12,075
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 94.4%
  • Graduation rate: 100.0%
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 114
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $60,654 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Pivot Point Academy

Bloomingdale, IL In-state option BOC Score 66.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • 144 East Lake Street, Suite C Bloomingdale, IL 60108-0000
  • (847) 985-5900
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 91.4%
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 122
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $32,002 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Kishwaukee College

Malta, IL In-state option BOC Score 66.2
Tuition $4,560 in-state / $13,680 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 44.8%
  • Programs offered: 28
  • Annual completions: 247
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $49,273 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, IL In-state option BOC Score 64.8
Tuition $5,390 in-state / $8,900 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 50.0%
  • Programs offered: 18
  • Annual completions: 117
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,741 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy

Joliet, IL In-state option BOC Score 62.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 81.8%
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 27
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $35,767 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

John Wood Community College

Quincy, IL In-state option BOC Score 61.9
Tuition $5,700 in-state / $9,300 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 48.9%
  • Programs offered: 26
  • Annual completions: 205
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $43,414 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Illinois?

City Colleges of Chicago and College of DuPage offer broad, affordable programs across multiple trades. ETI School of Skilled Trades is a top pick for HVAC and welding. MTI provides strong job placement support in healthcare and CDL.

Are Illinois community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Many Illinois community colleges offer accredited, job-ready training in skilled trades like HVAC, welding, and medical fields.

What trades are in demand in Illinois in 2025?

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security and BLS:

  • HVAC Technicians
  • Electricians
  • Welders
  • Truck Drivers (CDL)
  • Medical Assistants
  • CNC Machinists
  • Automotive Techs

If you’re ready to build a hands-on, debt-free career, Illinois trade schools can help you get trained so you can pursue roles sooner; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market. Choose your program and start your future today.

Trade Schools by City in Illinois

Compare accredited trade schools in 226 Illinois cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)