IL School Directory
Compare 26 accredited trade schools across 9 cities — tuition, programs, and IL licensing rules
26
Schools
9
Cities
15
Trade Programs
Illinois has one of the largest community college systems in the country (48 colleges) and a deep union apprenticeship base in Chicago. The state's trade education runs from City Colleges of Chicago (Wright, Kennedy-King, Olive-Harvey) to suburban districts like College of DuPage and Triton College, supplemented by private institutes like Coyne College, Universal Technical Institute (Lisle), and Midwest Technical Institute.
Chicago's union construction sector — IBEW Local 134, Plumbers Local 130, Pipefitters Local 597 — is one of the strongest trade pipelines in the U.S., with apprenticeships that pay competitive wages from day one. Outside Chicago, manufacturing along the I-55 and I-39 corridors and downstate ag-equipment work drive welding and diesel demand. Healthcare hiring around Northwestern, Rush, and University of Chicago keeps medical assistant programs full.
Based on hiring activity, employer demand, and program enrollment in IL.
IBEW Local 134 (Chicago) is one of the largest and best-paying electrician locals in the U.S.
Plumbers Local 130 apprenticeship pays you to learn and leads to top-tier wages
Chicago is the largest U.S. inland freight hub; strong demand for OTR and intermodal drivers
Manufacturing belt across central Illinois plus Chicago industrial work
Northwestern Medicine, Rush, and Advocate Health System hiring across Chicagoland
Typical range
$4,500–$20,000
Total tuition
Listed school avg.
$14,473
Across 26 schools
Schools listed
26
In 9 cities
See our full trade school cost guide for state-by-state breakdowns and a deeper look at how to fund your training.
Trade licensing in IL varies by program. Here's what you'll typically need to legally work in each field after training:
| Trade | IL Requirement |
|---|---|
| Electrician | No statewide license — Chicago requires Supervising Electrician registration; suburbs and downstate cities license at the municipal level |
| Plumber | Illinois Department of Public Health state plumber license (Apprentice → Journeyman); contractor license required statewide |
| HVAC Technician | No statewide HVAC license, but Chicago requires Refrigeration license; EPA 608 federally required |
| CDL | Class A/B issued by Illinois SOS; ELDT-compliant training required |
| Cosmetology | 1,500 hours + Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation exam |
In-district community college tuition in Illinois averages $130-$170 per credit hour, putting most trade diplomas in the $4,500-$10,000 range. Private trade schools run $13,000-$20,000. The Illinois MAP Grant provides need-based aid for residents at participating schools.
For electrical work in Chicago, IBEW Local 134's apprenticeship is widely considered the strongest training and career pathway — you earn while you learn over 5 years and graduate as a journeyman with no debt. It's competitive to enter. Trade school is a faster path that gets you working sooner as a helper or non-union electrician.
Illinois does not issue a statewide electrician license. Chicago requires Supervising Electrician registration. Suburban municipalities and downstate cities each have their own licensing. Plumbers, by contrast, are licensed statewide by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Coyne College, City Colleges of Chicago (especially Wright and Daley), and the suburban community colleges (College of DuPage, Triton, Harper) all run respected HVAC programs. The Chicago Refrigeration license adds an extra credential layer that smaller programs may not prepare you for.
Median listed tuition across 15 Illinois schools that publish a price is $16,195, ranging from $5,000 to $28,000. The table below breaks that down by program — every figure comes from the tuition these schools publish, not a national average.
| Program | Programs | Median tuition | Range | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💇 Cosmetology | 12 | $18,540 | $4,500–$22,350 | 9-15 months |
| ❄️ HVAC Technician | 11 | $16,195 | $5,500–$25,005 | 6-24 months |
| ⚡ Electrician | 11 | $16,170 | $4,500–$45,280 | 9-24 months |
| 🔥 Welding | 11 | $14,692 | $4,500–$35,990 | 6-18 months |
| 🩺 Medical Assistant | 10 | $10,848 | $4,500–$21,798 | 9-12 months |
| 🚗 Automotive Technician | 6 | $8,000 | $5,500–$45,280 | 6-24 months |
| 🦷 Dental Assistant | 6 | $16,195 | $4,500–$16,345 | 9-12 months |
| 💻 IT & Networking | 6 | $5,500 | $5,500–$37,022 | 6-24 months |
| 🪚 Carpentry | 5 | $5,500 | $4,500–$16,170 | 6-24 months |
| 💊 Pharmacy Technician | 4 | $10,625 | $4,500–$16,195 | 6-12 months |
| 💆 Massage Therapy | 4 | $14,512 | $4,500–$16,195 | 6-12 months |
| 🚚 CDL Training | 3 | $10,348 | $4,500–$16,195 | 3-8 weeks |
| 👨🍳 Culinary Arts | 3 | $5,500 | $4,500–$5,500 | 6-24 months |
| 🔧 Plumbing | 1 | $4,500 | $4,500 | 9-24 months |
| 🐾 Veterinary Technician | 1 | — | — | 18-24 months |
Based on the 26 schools listed on Trade Schools Review in Illinois. Median is calculated across programs with a published tuition figure; schools that quote on request are excluded. Confirm current pricing with the school.
The lowest published tuition among Illinois schools in our directory. Public community and technical colleges dominate this list — they charge in-district rates for the same credentials private career colleges sell at several times the price.
River Grove, IL · Community College
$5,000
listed tuition
Glen Ellyn, IL · Community College
$5,500
listed tuition
Chicago, IL · Community College
$5,500
listed tuition
Chicago, IL · Community College
$5,500
listed tuition
Chicago, IL · Community College
$5,500
listed tuition
Willowbrook, IL · Private Trade School
$14,685
listed tuition
Moline, IL · Private Trade School
$16,000
listed tuition
East Peoria, IL · Private Trade School
$16,195
listed tuition
Chicago has the most options in the state with 18 schools. Pick a city to compare local programs, tuition, and schedules.
2828 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
$22,350
N/A students
3711 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609
$16,520
333 students
4269 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632-2549
N/A
N/A students
1145 West Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL 60640
N/A
N/A students
10001 South Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60628-1696
N/A
N/A students
1 North State Street, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60602
$16,641
531 students
6301 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60621
$5,500
4,500 students
10456 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60628-2322
$18,540
N/A students
203 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601
N/A
N/A students
1225 S Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60607
N/A
N/A students
7500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60652
$5,500
7,000 students
55 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60604
N/A
N/A students
3401 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
N/A
N/A students
6458 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626-5232
N/A
N/A students
5321 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60656
N/A
N/A students
1357 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622-2151
N/A
N/A students
18020 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, IL 60477
N/A
N/A students
4300 North Narragansett Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634
$5,500
11,000 students
With 26 options to compare, choosing the right trade school takes some research. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating programs in IL: