Public · Mostly certificates · Large suburb

Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, Illinois. 2,443 undergraduates.

27%Graduation rate44 pts below the national median for similar colleges (71%)
$4,220Average net price per year76% below the national median for similar colleges ($17,716)
$41,542Median earnings 10 years after starting14% above the national median for similar colleges ($36,576)
$10,500Median debt at graduation11% above the national median for similar colleges ($9,500)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($10,500) equals 25% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($41,542).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$4,128
$30,000–$48,000$5,707
$48,001–$75,000$4,829
$75,001–$110,000$7,834

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $4,176 in-state, $11,064 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate27%71%
Return for second year51%77%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$36,591$33,491
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$41,542$36,576
Median debt at graduation$10,500$9,500

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly certificates).

Programs and what graduates earn

47 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions62$44,599$62,366$9,500
Fire Protection40$53,930—$11,500
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants136$22,771$45,727$11,812
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians1———
Computer Programming8———
Computer Software and Media Applications11———
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications5———
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management25——$9,275
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians1———
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians2———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services1———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities173———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness1———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers10———
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians7———
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)11———
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians3———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians24———
Precision Metal Working10———
Design and Applied Arts1———
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions15———
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services39———
Business/Commerce, General3———
Accounting and Related Services4———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations8———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Similar colleges in Illinois

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Prairie State College cost per year?
The average net price at Prairie State College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $4,220 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Prairie State College graduates earn?
Former Prairie State College students earn a median of $41,542 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Prairie State College?
27% of Prairie State College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Prairie State College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Prairie State College is $10,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.