City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College

$4,380Tuition

2,540Students

28%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,962Earnings

Public2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College

Richard J. Daley College serves Chicago's Southwest Side as a workforce-focused community college with deep ties to the city's industrial heritage. The school enrolls 2,540 students and specializes in career training programs designed to get graduates into jobs quickly. Nearly all students are Illinois residents, reflecting the college's role as a neighborhood institution. The campus sits in a large urban setting where students can access Chicago's job market while attending classes close to home.

Students pay remarkably little for their education here. The average net price after aid is just $3,166 per year, dropping to $2,222 for families earning under $30,000. Graduates leave with a median debt of only $4,500, keeping monthly loan payments at $48. Those who complete programs earn a median salary of $37,962 ten years after enrollment. The numbers suggest this is one of the most affordable paths to career training in Chicago.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic at 70.35%, with men slightly outnumbering women at 57.32%. Only 21.68% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating many come from working-class families just above the federal poverty threshold. The college offers three varsity sports through NJCAA competition, though athletics clearly take a backseat to career preparation.

Academics & Faculty

Richard J. Daley College focuses on career-ready programs that prepare students for Chicago's job market. The college serves a predominantly Hispanic student body, with 70% of students identifying as Latino. With a student-faculty ratio of 31:1, class sizes tend to be larger than typical community colleges, which can limit individual attention. The 27.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working students face balancing education with employment. The school emphasizes workforce development and vocational training rather than traditional liberal arts. Students can transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce directly. The college's Southwest Side location makes it accessible to local communities seeking affordable career preparation.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 31:1
Full-Time Faculty: 25.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 27.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,962

Campus Life

Richard J. Daley College sits on Chicago's Southwest Side, where 70% of students are Hispanic and the campus reflects the active Latino culture of the surrounding neighborhoods. You'll need a heavy winter coat for Chicago's brutal winters, where temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February. The college doesn't offer dorms, so all 2,540 students commute daily, creating a campus that empties out after evening classes.

With a 31:1 student-faculty ratio, expect larger class sizes typical of urban community colleges. The campus buzzes during weekday hours as working adults juggle classes with jobs and family responsibilities. Most students attend part-time while working, given that 87.8% are employed after completing their programs. Weekend activities center around family and work rather than traditional college social events. The three varsity sports teams draw modest crowds, with only 53 total athletes across all programs. Students often study in groups between classes, sharing resources and supporting each other through career-focused programs designed to launch them into Chicago's workforce quickly.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

11 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	1	0	2
Stalking	3	0	0
Burglary	2	0	0
Domestic Violence	2	0	0
Aggravated Assault	0	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 19°–32°F
July Avg: 67°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 34.4"
Annual Snowfall: 38.8"

Student Demographics

Richard J. Daley College draws nearly all its students from Illinois, reflecting its role as a neighborhood institution on Chicago's Southwest Side. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, making up over 70% of enrollment, with the college serving as an educational gateway for the local Latino community. Men slightly outnumber women, likely due to the school's emphasis on trades and technical programs. Most students come from working-class backgrounds, with the college providing an affordable stepping stone to careers or four-year degrees for families seeking economic mobility.

Men: 57.3%
Women: 42.7%
White: 13.3%
Black: 13.6%
Hispanic: 70.4%
Asian: 0.6%
In-State Students: 99.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 21.7%

Location

Richard J. Daley College sits in Chicago, Illinois, serving the city's Southwest Side neighborhoods. The campus operates in America's third-largest city, placing students directly in a major metropolitan area with extensive public transportation and job opportunities. Chicago's Southwest Side has strong Latino communities, reflected in the college's 70.35% Hispanic enrollment. The urban setting provides access to internships, part-time work, and cultural attractions that smaller college towns cannot offer. Nearly all students (99.77%) come from in-state, mostly from the surrounding neighborhoods. The location connects students to Chicago's robust healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Richard J. Daley College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Chicago, Illinois 60652-1299

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,962
Median Earnings (5 years): $44,922
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,200
Loan Repayment Rate: 36.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $48/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $4,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College?

As a community college, Daley College maintains an open admission policy for students with high school diplomas or equivalent. The school serves 2,540 students primarily from Chicago's Southwest Side, with 99.77% coming from in-state. This accessibility makes it a popular choice for local residents seeking affordable higher education and workforce training.

How much does City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is just $3,166, making it one of the most affordable college options in Chicago. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay only $2,222 on average, while even middle-income families pay reasonable amounts. With a median debt of $4,500 and monthly loan payments of just $48, the financial burden remains manageable for most graduates.

What is the student-faculty ratio at City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College?

The student-faculty ratio is 31:1, which is typical for community colleges focused on serving large numbers of students efficiently. Daley College operates on a semester system and emphasizes career-focused programs and workforce training. The school's mission centers on providing practical education that prepares students for immediate employment or transfer to four-year institutions.

What are the job prospects after graduating from City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College?

Graduates achieve an 87.8% employment rate, reflecting the school's strong focus on workforce development and career preparation. The median earnings reach $37,962 ten years after enrollment, with many students entering fields that serve the local community. However, the 6-year graduation rate of 27.6% indicates that many students take longer to complete their programs or transfer before graduating.

Where is City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College located and what is the campus like?

The college sits in Chicago's Southwest Side, serving a predominantly Hispanic community that makes up 70.35% of the student body. As part of the City Colleges of Chicago system, it operates in an urban setting designed to be accessible to working adults and local residents. The campus reflects its mission as a community resource, with 57.32% male and 42.68% female students representing the diverse neighborhood it serves.

Does City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College offer athletic programs?

The college participates in NJCAA athletics with 3 varsity sports programs serving 53 total athletes. Athletic scholarships total $96,362, providing opportunities for student-athletes to reduce their college costs. While athletics isn't the primary focus, these programs offer another pathway for students to engage with the college community and develop leadership skills.