
About
College of Lake County, located in Grayslake, Illinois, was established in 1967. The school's 181 acre campus was donated by Paul W. Brandel. Since its inception the school has expanded quickly, requiring the building of multiple structures and facilities to accommodate the number of students pursuing educational opportunities at the school. The school serves the northeastern suburbs of Chicago and has an enrollment of nearly 18,000 students per year. Since its founding the school has opened two additional campuses, located in Waukegan and Vernon Hills, as well the Great Lakes Center and several extension sites to maximize coverage for residents of the community. College of Lake County is accredited by the higher learning commission.
Academics
College of Lake County offers a large number of programs and courses to ensure that a student will be able to fulfill his or her academic and/or career goals. Students may participate in academic transfer or career training programs as full time students, resulting in an associate's degree or certificate. Academic transfer programs allow students to complete the first two years of a four year education at low cost then transfer to a college or university to finish one's bachelor's degree. Transfer from College of Lake County to a public Illinois college or University is facilitated through agreements that guarantee admission if certain criterion are met, though students may also apply to private or out of state schools as they wish.
Career programs offer student the training necessary to operate as professionals in their field of choice. These programs provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform duties and tasks at the entry level through classroom education and practical application. Programs typically take one to two years to complete, resulting in a degree or certificate that demonstrates qualification to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.
Programs offered include:
College of Lake County also offers individuals non credit courses that may be used to update professional skills or licenses, or may be taken to further personal growth. Such courses do not require full enrollment.
Admissions and Financial Aid
College of Lake County is an open enrollment institution, admitting all students that meet the minimum requirements for entry. Students must complete the admissions application, provide all pertinent transcripts, and participate in orientation prior to registration. Registration takes place just prior to the start of the semester, with tuition fees due shortly thereafter. Students must also take a placement exam to determine which courses they will enroll in and certain programs have additional requirements for admission.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, work study programs and scholarships at the state and federal level. Students in need of financial aid must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to the school's financial aid deadlines. Once submitted, the information from the FAFSA will be used to determine eligibility, need and awards. The school may require additional information be provided prior to the disbursement of funds in order to determine accuracy of the information provided. Scholarships are also available from private sources, requiring a separate application for each one and awarded for numerous reasons.
Athletics
The College of Lake County Lancers participate in a number of intercollegiate athletic programs through the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Skyway Community College Athletic Conference. Students are provided the opportunity to participate in health competition through organized sports, developing skills useful for academic and professional careers, such as discipline and teamwork, while experiencing the value of personal and group success. Additionally, students are exposed to good health habits and the spirit of camaraderie, which can have long term beneficial effects in one's development.
Athletic programs offered:
- Golf
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Women's Volleyball
- Baseball
- Softball
- Basketball
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $4,600. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Tuition estimates per year:
- State Residents: $3,000-$3,600
- Out-of-State: $10,000-$12,520
- Charges for part-time students are:
- In-State: $110-$130 per unit
- Out-of-State: $370-$450 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 44% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 38% | $4,181 |
Receiving Student Loans | 5% | $4,323 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, College of Lake County may offer services to students like:
- Distance learning
- Weekend and night classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Assisting students to find work
- Day care for children
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Community colleges often times offer both career training courses and curriculum to help students transfer out to a 4-year college or university, that is why we include how this school compares for both graduation and transfer rates against other community colleges in Lake County and community colleges in Illinois in total.
College of Lake County | Lake County | Illinois | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 16.7% | 16.8% | 23.9% |
Transfer-out Rate | 24.5% | 24.5% | 26.6% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Dental Hygienist Program
- Accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation (since 2000)
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1979)
- Compare all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Illinois
- Radiology Technician Program
- Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (since 1974)
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by College of Lake County by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Landscaping (A, C)
- Crop Production (A, C)
- Horticulture
- Turf Management
- Floriculture, Floristry Operations and Management
Business and Marketing Studies
- Administrative Assistant (A, C)
- Data Entry Technology (C)
- Bookkeeping (C)
- Business Administration (A)
- Small Business Management (A, C)
- Accounting (C)
- Office Management and Supervision (A, C)
- Sales (A, C)
Communications and Journalism
- Multimedia (A)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Networking (A, C)
- Web Design (A, C)
- Computer and Information Systems Security (A, C)
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications (C)
- Information Technology
- System Administration
Construction Trades
Education
- ESL (C)
- Teacher Assistant (TA) (C)
- Early Childhood Education (C)
- Mathematics Teacher Education (A)
- Special Education
- Music Teacher Education
Engineering
- Engineering (A)
Engineering Technology
- Electromechanical Technology (A, C)
- Robotics Technology (C)
- Cad Drafting (C)
- Mechanical Technology Technician (A, C)
- Laser and Optical Technology (C)
- Environmental Engineering Technology and Environmental Technology (C)
- Construction Engineering Technology (A, C)
- Civil Engineering Technology (A)
- Architectural Drafting cad (A, C)
- Electrical and Communications Engineering Technology
- Energy Management
- Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting cad
English Language and Literature
- Technical and Business Writing (A, C)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care Provider (A)
- Child Care (C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing Assistant (C)
- Emergency Care Attendant (C)
- Nursing (A)
- EMT & Paramedic (A, C)
- Phlebotomy (C)
- Medical Reception (C)
- Medical Insurance Biller (C)
- Medical Assistant (A, C)
- Radiology Technician (A, C)
- Massage Therapy (C)
- Dental Hygienist (A)
- Health Information and Medical Records Technology (A)
- Surgical Technologist (A, C)
- Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education (C)
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling (A, C)
- Medical Transcription (C)
- Medical Insurance Coding
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences (A)
Legal Professions and Studies
- Paralegal (A, C)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A)
Library Science
- Library Assistant (A, C)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Auto Mechanic (A, C)
- Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) (A, C)
- Auto Body (A, C)
- Computer Repair Technician (C)
- Industrial Mechanics (C)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Natural Resources Management and Policy (A, C)
- Forest Technology (C)
Personal and Culinary Services
- Restaurant and Catering Management (A, C)
- Culinary Arts (C)
- Baking And Pastry (A, C)
- Food Service and Dining Room Management
Precision Production
Public Administration and Social Services
- Social Work (A, C)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Health and Physical Education, Fitness (A)
- Kinesiology And Exercise Science (C)
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (A, C)
- Fire Science (A)
- Homeland Security (C)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (A)
- Music (A)
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to College of Lake County.
- McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, IL (19 miles away)
- Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, WI (19 miles away)
- Harper College in Palatine, IL (20 miles away)
- Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, IL (22 miles away)
- Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL (28 miles away)