2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a college degree. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top Illinois Colleges for an Associate ranking - to help you make that decision.
Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology
Finding Your Best School Match
Our analysis looked at 43 schools in Illinois to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.
Average Earnings
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. After all, your degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
Taking Out Student Loans
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that students take on while they are working on their associate degree.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Illinois have accumulated an average of $14,342 in student debt.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
More Ranking Factors That Are Important
Our Best Associate Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.
To learn more, visit our best colleges ranking methodology page.
More Rankings to View
You may also want to
narrow this list by location to find the best associate degree schools nearest you. In addition, we've put together a number of other
college rankings that may help you in your search.
Top Associate Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
950
Associate Degrees Awarded
$52,986
Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,532
Average Student Debt
Rasmussen University - Illinois tops this year’s ranking as the best school for associate degrees in Illinois for overall quality. Rasmussen University - Illinois is located in Rockford, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 950 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from Rasmussen University - Illinois go into careers with an average salary of $52,986 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $8,532.
Learn More About Rasmussen University - Illinois
786
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,295
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,934
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lincoln Land Community College. The school came in at #2 in Illinois on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 786 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from LLCC is $43,295 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,934 in student loans.
Read full report on Lincoln Land Community College
1,588
Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,933
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,526
Average Student Debt
The excellent associate degree programs at College of Lake County helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Illinois. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 1,588 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,933 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $15,526 after getting their degree.
Read full report on College of Lake County
994
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,031
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Waubonsee Community College. The school came in at #4 in Illinois on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 994 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Waubonsee make an average of $35,031 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Waubonsee Community College Report
1,920
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,565
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,575
Average Student Debt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William Rainey Harper College. It ranked #5 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large public school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 1,920 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Harper College make an average of $43,565 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,575 in student loans.
Full William Rainey Harper College Report
1,091
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,295
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,627
Average Student Debt
Elgin Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. ECC is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,091 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from ECC is $39,295 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $15,627 after getting their degree.
Full Elgin Community College Report
304
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,835
Average Early-Career Earnings
South Suburban College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking, coming in at #7. South Holland, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 304 students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from SSC is $39,835 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on South Suburban College
1,969
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,615
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,000
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #8, College of DuPage did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. COD is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,969 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from COD is $32,615 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $15,000.
Learn More About College of DuPage
988
Associate Degrees Awarded
$49,853
Average Early-Career Earnings
Illinois Central College landed the #9 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in East Peoria, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 988 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $49,853 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Illinois Central College
299
Associate Degrees Awarded
$60,966
Average Early-Career Earnings
Kankakee Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Kankakee, Illinois, the small public school handed out 299 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Kankakee Community College make an average of $60,966 a year.
Learn More About Kankakee Community College
1,051
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,366
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,500
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #11, Rock Valley College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rock Valley College is a public institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Rock Valley College is $35,366 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,500.
Read full report on Rock Valley College
1,100
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,878
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,710
Average Student Debt
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Belleville, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,100 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $41,878 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $9,710 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Southwestern Illinois College
256
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,650
Average Early-Career Earnings
Danville Area Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Danville, Illinois, the small public school handed out 256 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $38,650 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Danville Area Community College
1,182
Associate Degrees Awarded
$28,884
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,530
Average Student Debt
City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,182 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $28,884 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,530 in student loans.
Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Report
462
Associate Degrees Awarded
$58,995
Average Early-Career Earnings
Rend Lake College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rend Lake College is a small public school situated in Ina, Illinois. It awarded 462 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Rend Lake College go into careers with an average salary of $58,995 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Rend Lake College
691
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,752
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,440
Average Student Debt
Oakton Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 691 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Oakton Community College make an average of $38,752 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,440 in student loans.
Learn More About Oakton Community College
688
Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,595
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,339
Average Student Debt
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 688 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $45,595 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $9,339 after getting their degree.
Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Report
2,089
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,902
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,591
Average Student Debt
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,089 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from MVCC make an average of $32,902 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,591 in student loans.
Full Moraine Valley Community College Report
226
Associate Degrees Awarded
$59,188
Average Early-Career Earnings
Sauk Valley Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. This small public school is located in Dixon, Illinois, and it awarded 226 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Sauk Valley Community College make an average of $59,188 per year during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Sauk Valley Community College
1,391
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,992
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,827
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #20, Joliet Junior College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Joliet Junior College make an average of $38,992 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $15,827 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Joliet Junior College
753
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,972
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #21, Parkland College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Parkland College is a medium-sized public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 753 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Parkland College make an average of $39,972 per year during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Parkland College
608
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,479
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,852
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #22, Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. This small public school is located in Godfrey, Illinois, and it awarded 608 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Lewis and Clark Community College is $38,479 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,852 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Lewis and Clark Community College
648
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,126
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,000
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #23, Heartland Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. This small public school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 648 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Heartland Community College make an average of $38,126 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $16,000.
Learn More About Heartland Community College
777
Associate Degrees Awarded
$24,063
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,144
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #24, McHenry County College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. MCC is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 777 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from MCC make an average of $24,063 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,144.
Full McHenry County College Report
944
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,188
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,650
Average Student Debt
Triton College landed the #25 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Triton College is a medium-sized public school located in River Grove, Illinois that handed out 944 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Triton College make an average of $40,188 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $10,650.
Learn More About Triton College
