Richland Community College

One College Pk, Decatur, IL

Richland Community College, located in Decatur, Illinois, was founded in 1972 when it was known as Decatur Community College. Originally operating out of a former bank building, the school quickly outgrew the location and at the same time had its service area expanded, resulting in a name change to Richland Community College and the start of construction of a new permanent home. The new campus was completed in 1988, though construction and expansion has continued in response to growing enrollment and community needs. The year following the turn of the century saw particularly large expansion through the addition of a health education center, technology center, an early childhood education academy among others.

Academics

Richland Community College offers a number of programs that result in certificates and associate degrees allowing students to pursue academic or career growth. Additionally, the school provides non-credit, adult education and continuing education courses to meet the needs of professionals and residents in their pursuit of personal or professional betterment.

Academic transfer programs allow students to fulfill lower division and general education requirements that are typically offered during the first two years of a four year education. Individuals will transfer their credits to a four year college or university upon completion of the program. Transfer to a public Illinois school will be facilitated through agreements, though students may choose to apply to private or out of state schools instead. Regardless of where the student chooses to apply, meeting with a counselor to outline a curriculum best suited for desired transfer locations is recommended.

Career programs prepare individuals with the skills and abilities necessary to operate in a given field. Programs take between one and two years to complete and result in an associate degree or certificate. These programs provide career specific education, though degree programs will include general education courses. Graduates of these programs will be able to enter the workforce as professionals in their field of study and are able to immediately pursue entry level employment.

Programs offered include:

Admissions and Financial Aid

As an open enrollment institution, any individual meeting the minimum requirements for admission will be eligible for enrollment upon submission of an admissions application. Applicants must provide transcripts and test scores, and may be required to take a placement exam. Students should also participate in orientation and meet with a counselor prior to registration, which begins shortly before the start of each semester.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans and grants. Students in need of financial aid must complete of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which will be used to determine need, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards. Financial aid must be applied for prior to the start of each academic year and students may be asked to provide additional information prior to the disbursement of funds to verify the FAFSA's accuracy due to recently implemented federal regulations.

Estimated Costs & Financial Aid

The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $4,600. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.

Tuition & Fees Information

Annual tuition estimates are:
- State Residents: $3,400-$4,100
- Out-of-State: $13,000-$16,020
Part-time students are charged:
- In-State: $110-$140 per unit
- Out-of-State: $450-$530 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	85%	-
Receiving Grants & Scholarships	81%	$4,161
Receiving Student Loans	11%	$3,981

Admissions, Academics, & Student Services

Student Services

To help students and recent graduates, Richland Community College may provide student services including:

Online classes
Classes offered on nights and weekends
Remedial instructional courses
Counseling assistance
Employing students to lower education costs
Employment search assistance
Child care

Graduation & Transfer Rates

Students who attend a community college will be able to choose from a variety of programs that will lead to an associate's degree or transfer to a four year institution. The following list shows graduation and transfer-out rates for this school compared to community colleges in Illinois, which can be useful for determining which community college to attend.

	Richland Community College	Macon County	Illinois
Graduation Rate	21.1%	-	23.9%
Transfer-out Rate	17.1%	-	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 1996)
- See a list of 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 2014)

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.