
Oakton Community College is a two-year post-secondary school with two convenient locations for students living in the Chicago, area: the main campus is located about 20 miles northwest of Chicago in Des Plaines, and the newer, Ray Hartstein Campus is about 15 miles north of Chicago in Skokie. As community colleges go, Oakton is rather large, with an enrollment of almost 11,000. Despite its size, administration is focused on fostering a personal, intimate environment; most classes top out at around 14-15 students. Oakton’s main campus offers a surprisingly sophisticated variety of programs in the fields of art, science, and business, to name just a few. Associate and certificate programs are available in nearly 80 areas of study.
At OCC, cultural enrichment abounds. Students can visit the campus museum to view the works of high-profile artists based in Chicago. The performing arts center and writer’s series are also a source of school pride. Oakton’s extracurricular clubs cater to a broad variety of tastes, affording students opportunities to make friends and share personal interests in their free time. In response to a culture that is more aware of health and fitness, the college has launched Student Health 101, an online interactive health journal, where students can log on and ask health-related questions.
Oakland’s tuition rates are competitive, coming in thousands of dollars below average U.S. college and university tuition rates, and financial aid is available to qualified students. Individuals wishing to apply for admission should contact the admissions office for details. With its broad range of certification and degree programs, personalized instruction, and reasonable tuition rates, Oakton Community College is an educational value for today’s students.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $5,900. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. There is also a $25 application fee for those applying to a program. 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: $3,100-$3,700
- Out-of-State: $11,000-$12,840
- Charges per unit:
- In-State: $110-$130 per unit
- Out-of-State: $380-$460 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 | 48% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 47% | $4,111 |
Receiving Student Loans | 1% | $3,992 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and alumni, Oakton Community College may offer services to students like those listed below:
- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Student employment
- Day care
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Many community colleges are not only a source of technical or career training but also a stepping stone for students to transfer-out to a 4-year college, therefore we have included both graduation and transfer rates below and how this school compares against other community colleges in Cook County and the community colleges in Illinois as a whole.
Oakton Community College | Cook County | Illinois | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 14.4% | 14.9% | 23.9% |
Transfer-out Rate | 34.8% | 28.7% | 26.6% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- 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 1987)
- Compare all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Illinois
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 Oakton Community College 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,...)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Administrative Assistant (A, C)
- Bookkeeping (A, C)
- Advertising and Marketing (A, C)
- Human Resources (C)
- Business Administration (C)
- Operations Management (A, C)
- Investments and Securities (C)
- Sales (C)
- Banking and Financial Services (A)
- Commerce (A)
- Executive Assistant (C)
- Office Management and Supervision
- Information Systems
- Sales Manager
Communication Technology
- Prepress , Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design
- Animation
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (C)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Information Science (C)
- System Administration (C)
- Computer Networking (A, C)
- Web Design (C)
- Data Modeling & Database Administration (DBA) (C)
- Computer Programming, Vendor and Product Certification (C)
- Data Processing Technology (C)
- Computer Programming (A, C)
- Information Technology (A)
- Web Management and Webmaster (C)
Construction Trades
- Property Management (A, C)
Education
Engineering
- Engineering (A)
Engineering Technology
- Electromechanical Technology (A, C)
- Cad Drafting (C)
- Mechanical Technology Technician (A, C)
- Computer Systems Technology (C)
- Computer Software Technology (C)
- Electrical and Communications Engineering Technology (A, C)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care Provider (A, C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing Assistant (C)
- Nursing (A)
- EMT & Paramedic (C)
- Pharmacy Technician (C)
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling (A, C)
- Medical Insurance Coding (C)
- Health Information and Medical Records Technology (A)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (A)
- Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education (C)
- Phlebotomy (C)
- Medical Lab Technician (A)
- Medical Insurance Biller (C)
- Radiology Technician (A)
- Home Health Aide (C)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences (A)
Legal Professions and Studies
- Paralegal (A, C)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) (A, C)
- Auto Mechanic (A, C)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Social Work (A, C)
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (A, C)
- Fire Science (A, C)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Graphic Design (A)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (A)
- Commercial Photography (C)
- Music
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Oakton Community College.
- City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, IL (8 miles away)
- Harper College in Palatine, IL (10 miles away)
- Triton College in River Grove, IL (10 miles away)
- City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College in Chicago, IL (13 miles away)
- Malcolm X College - City Colleges of Chicago in Chicago, IL (16 miles away)