Kaskaskia College: $4,800 Tuition

$4,800Tuition

1,842Students

49%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,801Earnings

Public2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Kaskaskia College

Kaskaskia College serves as southern Illinois' top workforce development center, training students for high-demand careers across industries from healthcare to manufacturing. The college enrolls 1,842 students in its rural-fringe location near Centralia, building strong partnerships with regional employers who actively recruit graduates. Students benefit from hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities, particularly in nursing, welding, and automotive technology programs that consistently place graduates in well-paying jobs.

The financial picture makes sense for most students. Average net price hits $6,839 after aid, while graduates earn a median $38,801 ten years later. Students typically graduate with just $3,750 in debt and monthly loan payments of only $40. An impressive 95.5% employment rate demonstrates the college's strong job placement success, making it a solid investment for career-focused students.

Nearly all students come from Illinois, creating a tight-knit community feel on campus. Women make up 63.74% of enrollment, reflecting strong participation in the college's popular health science programs. The Blue Devils compete in 10 NJCAA sports with 136 total athletes, though athletics take a backseat to academics and workforce preparation at this career-focused institution.

Academics & Faculty

Kaskaskia College serves southern Illinois with practical career training and transfer programs. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio provides solid access to instructors in a community college setting. With a 48.5% six-year graduation rate, about half of students complete their programs within the typical timeframe for two-year institutions. The college emphasizes workforce development through technical programs in healthcare, manufacturing, and trades that connect directly to regional employment needs. Transfer pathways help students move on to four-year universities. Nearly all students come from Illinois, reflecting the college's role as a local educational center. The semester system allows students to balance coursework with work and family commitments common in rural communities.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Full-Time Faculty: 54.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 48.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,801

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$58,673
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$46,380
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$38,289
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$31,314
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$19,775
Culinary Arts and Related Services.	Associate	$18,087

View all 79 programs →

Campus Life

Kaskaskia College sits in rural southern Illinois, about 60 miles east of St. Louis. With 1,842 students spread across a small campus, you'll recognize faces quickly in the hallways. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name, not just your student ID number.

Nearly all students (99.73%) come from Illinois, and most commute from nearby towns since this is a community college without dorms. The campus has a tight-knit feel where the Blue Devils athletics program draws weekend crowds. With 136 athletes competing in 10 varsity sports, games become major social events for a campus this size. Students often head to nearby Carlyle Lake for outdoor activities or make the hour drive to St. Louis for entertainment. Southern Illinois winters require a good coat, with snow and freezing temperatures from December through February. The rural setting means you'll need a car to get around, but the small-town atmosphere creates strong connections between classmates who often study together and support each other through their two-year programs.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1940

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 19°–38°F
July Avg: 65°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 87.4"
Annual Snowfall: -768.9"

Student Demographics

Kaskaskia College draws almost exclusively from Illinois, with 99.7% of students coming from in-state. This reflects the school's deep roots in south-central Illinois communities since 1940. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body, reflecting strong programs in nursing, education, and allied health fields that traditionally attract female students. The college serves a predominantly white, working-class population typical of rural Illinois. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, indicating the school fulfills its community college mission of providing affordable education to local families seeking career training and transfer opportunities.

Men: 36.3%
Women: 63.7%
White: 84.0%
Black: 5.8%
Hispanic: 3.8%
Asian: 0.7%
In-State Students: 99.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 22.0%

Location

Kaskaskia College sits in Centralia, Illinois, about 60 miles east of St. Louis. The campus serves a rural-fringe community in southern Illinois farm country. With 99.73% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from small towns and agricultural communities across the region. Centralia itself has about 12,000 residents and serves as a regional center for surrounding rural areas. The setting offers students a close-knit community atmosphere where everyone knows each other. The campus provides a traditional small-town college experience without the distractions of urban life. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Kaskaskia College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Centralia, Illinois 62801

Kaskaskia College Lifelong Learning Center

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $38,801
Median Earnings (5 years): $44,312
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 47.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $40/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $3,750

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Kaskaskia College?

Kaskaskia College operates with an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges, meaning qualified applicants are generally admitted. The college serves 1,842 students in rural southern Illinois and focuses on providing accessible higher education to the local community.

How much does Kaskaskia College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $6,839 after financial aid at Kaskaskia College. In-state tuition runs $4,800 while out-of-state students pay $12,570, though nearly all students (99.73%) come from Illinois.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Kaskaskia College?

Kaskaskia College maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. The college operates on a semester system and has built a reputation for career-focused education since its founding in 1940.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Kaskaskia College?

Graduates achieve a 95.5% employment rate with median earnings of $38,801 ten years after enrollment. The college's focus on practical skills training helps explain why 48.5% of students complete their programs within six years.

Where is Kaskaskia College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Centralia, Illinois in a rural-fringe setting that serves the surrounding farming and industrial communities. With 136 athletes competing in 10 NJCAA sports as the Blue Devils and Blue Angels, the campus maintains an active athletic presence despite its modest size.

How affordable is student debt at Kaskaskia College?

Students graduate with a median debt of just $3,750, resulting in monthly loan payments of only $40. This low debt burden reflects the college's mission as an affordable pathway to career training and higher education for working-class families in southern Illinois.