Kankakee Community College: $5,070 Tuition

$5,070Tuition

1,904Students

38%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,767Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Kankakee Community College

Kankakee Community College serves 1,904 students in a small Illinois city about an hour south of Chicago. The school has built a solid reputation for workforce training and transfer programs since opening in 1966. Students benefit from small classes with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The college focuses heavily on practical education that connects directly to local job markets.

The financial picture looks manageable for most families. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,219 after aid, while the average net price across all income levels is $5,190. Graduates earn a median of $38,767 ten years after starting, which helps explain the relatively low median debt of $9,969. Monthly loan payments average only $106 for those who borrow. The employment rate hits 96.1%, suggesting strong job placement success.

The student body reflects the surrounding region, with 97.56% coming from Illinois. Women make up 60.92% of enrollment, while the campus brings together students from diverse backgrounds including 56.25% white, 21.74% Hispanic, and 13.81% Black students. The Cavaliers compete in seven varsity sports through the NCCAA, drawing 125 student-athletes who share $1.77 million in athletic scholarships.

Academics & Faculty

Kankakee Community College serves as a practical launching pad for career training and transfer preparation in south-central Illinois. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in classrooms where professors know students by name. With a 38% graduation rate, the college attracts many working adults and part-time students who balance education with other responsibilities. KCC is particularly known for its nursing program, which feeds into the regional healthcare system, and strong workforce development partnerships with local manufacturers. The college emphasizes hands-on learning through labs and internships. Transfer students benefit from articulation agreements with four-year universities, while career-focused students gain industry certifications that lead directly to employment.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Faculty: 32.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 38.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,767

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$60,298
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$52,107
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$44,542
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$31,314
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$29,322
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$24,730

View all 71 programs →

Campus Life

Kankakee Community College serves a predominantly local student body, with 97.56% of students coming from in-state. The campus sits about 60 miles south of Chicago, giving students access to big-city opportunities without urban costs. Winter coats are essential here, as Illinois winters bring snow and freezing temperatures from December through February.

As a commuter school, most students live off-campus and balance classes with work or family responsibilities. The student body is 60.92% women, reflecting the college's strong programs in nursing and education. With only 1,904 students total, class sizes stay manageable at a 13:1 student-faculty ratio.

Weekend activities often center around the seven varsity sports teams competing as the Cavaliers. The 125 student-athletes receive substantial support, with $1.77 million in athletic scholarships available. Many students work locally, contributing to the impressive 96.1% employment rate. The campus culture emphasizes practical career preparation, with graduates typically earning $38,767 within ten years. Students often form study groups and connect through shared career goals rather than traditional campus traditions.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1966

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 16°–32°F
July Avg: 64°–84°F
Annual Precipitation: 39.2"
Annual Snowfall: 23.5"

Student Demographics

Kankakee Community College draws nearly its entire student body from Illinois, reflecting its strong ties to the local community. Women make up about 60% of students, likely drawn to the college's robust nursing and health sciences programs. The student population is diverse, with significant Hispanic and Black enrollment alongside white students. More than one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families in the Kankakee River Valley. This community college fulfills its mission as an affordable pathway to careers and four-year transfers for local residents.

Men: 39.1%
Women: 60.9%
White: 56.3%
Black: 13.8%
Hispanic: 21.7%
Asian: 0.6%
In-State Students: 97.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 37.1%

Location

Kankakee Community College sits in Kankakee, Illinois, about 60 miles south of Chicago. The school draws heavily from local students, with 97.56% coming from in-state. Kankakee is a small industrial city along the Kankakee River in the Prairie State's agricultural heartland. The area blends small-town charm with proximity to major metropolitan opportunities. Students can reach Chicago's job market and cultural attractions within an hour's drive. The surrounding region features flat farmland typical of central Illinois, offering a quiet environment for focused study. The city itself has around 27,000 residents and maintains a close-knit community feel. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Kankakee Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Kankakee, Illinois 60901

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $38,767
Median Earnings (5 years): $49,490
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 32.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $106/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,969

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Kankakee Community College?

Kankakee Community College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges, accepting virtually all students who apply with a high school diploma or equivalent. The school serves 1,904 students and draws 97.56% of its enrollment from Illinois residents. This accessibility makes it a popular starting point for students looking to complete prerequisites or earn associate degrees before transferring.

How much does Kankakee Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,190 annually, making KCC one of the more affordable higher education options in Illinois. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,219 after aid, while in-state tuition starts at $5,070 before financial assistance. The college keeps costs manageable with 37.12% of students receiving federal Pell Grants.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Kankakee Community College?

The college maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, providing more personalized attention than many larger institutions. This smaller class environment helps students build relationships with instructors and receive individual support. KCC operates on a semester system and focuses on practical, career-oriented programs alongside traditional academic pathways.

What are the career outcomes for Kankakee Community College graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $38,767 ten years after enrollment, with an impressive 96.1% employment rate. Recent graduates see strong immediate earning potential with median salaries of $47,856 just one year after completion. The college's focus on workforce development and technical training helps explain these solid employment outcomes.

Where is Kankakee Community College's campus located and what is student life like?

The campus sits in Kankakee, a small Illinois city about 60 miles south of Chicago. With 1,904 students and a 60.92% female enrollment, the college creates a close-knit community atmosphere. The Cavaliers compete in seven varsity sports through the NCCAA with 125 total athletes receiving $1.77 million in athletic scholarships.

Does Kankakee Community College have a good graduation rate?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 38.20%, which reflects the diverse pathways community college students take including transfers, workforce entry, and part-time enrollment. Many students use KCC as a stepping stone to four-year universities or enter the workforce directly after completing certificate programs. The college's 32.39% loan repayment rate and low median debt of $9,969 indicate manageable financial outcomes for graduates.