Prairie State College
- Prairie State College is a two-year community college offering associate degrees, technical and career studies certificates, plus adult, corporate and continuing education. We're the first Illinois community college to guarantee all of our degree and technical certificate programs. We're honored to be recognized for the quality of our programs and services through six awards for excellence from the Illinois Community College Board - more than any other college in the state.
School Highlights
Prairie State College serves 2,716 students (32% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 7:1 is lower than the state community college average of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 47%.
Quick Stats (2023)
- Enrollment: 2,716 students
- In-state tuition: $7,644
- Out-state tuition: $9,084
- Student:teacher ratio: 7:1
- Minority enrollment: 75%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Prairie State College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
The teacher population of 369 teachers has grown by 118% over five years.
Prairie State College
(IL) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
369 staff
239 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Prairie State College has declined by 38% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 7:1 has decreased from 10:1 over five years.
The Prairie State College diversity score of 0.70 is more than the state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,716 students
2,581 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
12:1
# Full-Time Students
872 students
898 students
# Part-Time Students
1,844 students
1,683 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
287 students
40 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
872 students
944 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
22 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,844 students
1,844 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
19 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
132 students
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
22%
24%
% Black
44%
12%
% White
25%
53%
% Two or more races
1%
3%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
4%
2%
Diversity Score
0.70
0.64
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
17%
36%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.54%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$32,400
$31,800
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $7,644 is less than the state average of $7,972. The in-state tuition has declined by 16% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $9,084 is less than the state average of $10,688. The out-state tuition has declined by 16% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$7,644
$7,972
Out-State Tuition Fees
$9,084
$10,688
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
82%
81%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,331
$8,029
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,264
$4,600
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
SAT Reading
n/a
390
SAT Math
n/a
360
SAT Writing
n/a
355
ACT Composite
n/a
17
ACT English
n/a
17
ACT Math
n/a
17
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Prairie State College's 123-acre campus is located at South Halsted Street and Vollmer Road in Chicago Heights, Ill. Our north campus facilities, to the north of Vollmer Road, include the Health/Tech Center, Child Care Center, Physical Plant and Facilities warehouse and headquarters, the Illinois Employment and Training Center, plus four wooden temporary structures where our Adult Education programs are held. Here you'll find English as a Second Language, Literacy, Adult Basic Education and GED classes, and adult education computer labs. The main building, to the south of Vollmer Road, houses faculty and administrative offices, classrooms, laboratories, and student services facilities. A four story-building, the main campus building includes a Technology Center, where programs such as Automotive, Welding, Manufacturing Technology and Air Conditioning and Heating programs take place. Prairie State College, Illinois Community College District 515, serves thousands of residents each year in the Chicago Southland region. We additionally serve a growing number of people outside our geographic district through our corporate training and international student programs. Founded in 1957 as Bloom Township Community College, our first classes were held in 1958 in the basement of the First Christian Church. The College has come a long way since then. Bloom Community College was originally established to offer transfer liberal arts courses and occupational courses. Most students graduating in the early 1960s earned degrees in the liberal arts. Today, the College serves a more broad population, offering five types of associate's degrees (associate in arts, associate in science, associate in fine arts, associate in applied science, associate in general studies), two types of certificates (technical and career studies) and training in many other areas. Part of PSC's growth began back in 1967 when the College was reorganized as a Class I junior college. Then, with the combining of four high school districts into an enlarged territory, the College was renamed Prairie State College. The Beecher district was added to District 515 in 1989 by the Illinois Community College Board. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Prairie State College cost?
Prairie State College's tuition is approximately $7,644 for In-State students and $9,084 for Out-State students.
What is Prairie State College's ranking?
Prairie State College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Illinois for: Diversity in US community colleges.
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