Oakton College Tuition, Completion & Outcomes (2026)
Oakton College is a public certificate and vocational school in Des Plaines, Illinois, serving roughly 6,072 students. Programs focus on certificates and workforce credentials that prepare students for skilled trades and technical careers. Typical net price after grant aid is about $5,183 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $3,985. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $47,852 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $3,985
- 2024 Average Net Price: $5,183 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 6,072 33.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 36.96%
- Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional
- First-Generation Students: 43.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 4.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 24.2%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,494
- Room & Board: $8,994 annual estimate
Oakton College: what the data shows
Common questions about Oakton College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Oakton College?
Oakton College is located in Des Plaines, IL (ZIP 60016-1268).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Oakton College public or private?
Oakton College is a Public institution.
How much does Oakton College cost?
Published tuition: $3,985 in-state, $12,462 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $5,183.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $3,847 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $5,084 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $7,235 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $9,496 |
| $110,001+ | $11,431 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $15,940.
How big is Oakton College?
Total enrollment: 6,072 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 18,494 students.
About 33% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Oakton College?
150%-time completion rate: 36.96%.
First-year retention: 69.0%.
What do graduates of Oakton College earn?
Median earnings: $38,528 six years after entry; $47,852 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $5,250.
19.03% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Oakton College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (997 completions)
- Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide (198 completions)
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (181 completions)
- Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) (142 completions)
- Biological and Physical Sciences (51 completions)
- Child Care Provider/Assistant (50 completions)
- Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping (47 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (45 completions)
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (37 completions)
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management (35 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Oakton College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 36.96%; median earnings $47,852 at 10 years; net price $5,183. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$3,985
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Oakton College was $3,985.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$5,183
2024 Value
In 2024 Oakton College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $5,183.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$20,732 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$5,183 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$15,940 4-Year In-State Tuition
$49,848 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$8,994 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,410 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$14,389 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$57,556 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Oakton College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.03% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
0.34% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Oakton College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Oakton College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $2,829 | $10,520 | $5,629 |
| 2014 | $3,061 | $10,418 | $5,959 |
| 2015 | $3,285 | $10,866 | $5,972 |
| 2016 | $3,621 | $11,790 | $6,332 |
| 2017 | $3,985 | $12,462 | $6,812 |
| 2018 | $3,985 | $12,462 | $6,993 |
| 2019 | $3,985 | $12,462 | $6,141 |
| 2020 | $3,985 | $12,462 | $6,423 |
| 2021 | $3,985 | $12,462 | $6,277 |
| 2022 | $3,985 | $12,462 | $6,456 |
| 2023 | $3,985 | $12,462 | $6,188 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Oakton College reported total enrollment of about 6,072 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 49% male and 51% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (38.6%), Asian (21.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (21.5%). About 19.03% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 43.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
33.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Oakton College in 2024 is 6,072 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 18,494 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
69.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 38.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
12.15% 100% Completion Time
36.96% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 12.15% of students graduating from Oakton College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 48% male / 52% female
- Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide: 19% male / 81% female
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician: 99% male / 1% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Oakton College.
Return on Investment
$5,250 Median Student Debt
$47,852 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
10.97% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
2208.12% Return on Investment
1.1 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Oakton College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 71 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 997 completions
2. Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide: 198 completions
3. Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician: 181 completions
4. Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic): 142 completions
5. Biological and Physical Sciences: 51 completions
6. Child Care Provider/Assistant: 50 completions
7. Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping: 47 completions
8. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 45 completions
9. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician: 37 completions
Most popular programs at Oakton College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Oakton College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Oakton College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 24.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,670
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,590
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Oakton College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, IL, classified as Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide, Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician. Enrollment is approximately 6,072 students. Student body composition includes White (38.6%), Asian (21.8%), Hispanic or Latino (21.5%). The 150%-time completion rate is 36.96%. Approximately 19.03% of students receive Pell Grants. About 43.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional
Location
Des Plaines, IL 60016-1268
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 36.96% graduation rate at Oakton College falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 71 distinct degree programs, Oakton College provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Oakton College located?
Oakton College is located in Des Plaines, IL.
How much does Oakton College cost?
Reported tuition is $3,985 and average net price is $5,183 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $8,994 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Oakton College?
Oakton College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 18,494 students, White (38.6%), Asian (21.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Oakton College?
About 43.4% of students at Oakton College are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Oakton College earn?
Median earnings are $38,528 six years after entry and $47,852 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Oakton College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 37.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Oakton College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $5,250.
Is Oakton College public or private?
Oakton College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, IL.
Is Oakton College an HBCU?
No. Oakton College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Oakton College a tribal college?
No. Oakton College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Oakton College a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Oakton College does not meet that proxy (reported share 21.5%).
Is Oakton College religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Oakton College in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Illinois college costs
- Illinois colleges by ROI
- Illinois trade schools profile
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Illinois
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.