In case you are wondering whether it is a good idea to attend a trade school program rather than a four-year university, we will have to say that once finishing the trade school you are slightly more likely to be employed in the job field you studied.
HVAC Technical Institute
HVAC Tech boasts the accreditations by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Council On Occupational Education, HVAC Excellence and National Center for Construction Education and Research.
During the HVAC training, students will get excellent education, which is the reason why they have limited their class sizes to 20 students.
Enrollment: Future students who want to apply for this school must show the desire and physical ability which is required so as to complete this rigorous course.
HVAC Technical Institute eligibility requirements are a High School Diploma or G.E.D, a valid Drivers’ License or State I.D. issued by the state and a Social Security Card.
An entrance exam is required for students without a G.E.D or HS Diploma.
Fees: One of the main concerns of future students is tuition costs.
HVAC/R course costs $15,000 while HVAC course has a tuition cost of $10,500.
Light Commercial Refrigeration (LCR) course is $4,500 and Electrical Technician course has a tuition cost of $12,500.
Tuition costs include a $100 non-refundable application fee, books/supplies, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) section 608 universal license and the R-410A safety certification tests and reviews.
Courses Offered:
- HVAC/R
- Electrical
- LCR
- HVAC
Contact Information:
- HVAC Technical Institute
- Address: 4532 S Kolin Ave, Chicago, IL 60632
- Phone: +1 773-927-9562
- Web: https://www.hvac-tech.com
Coyne College
Coyne College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges(ACCSC).
Enrollment: Enrollment in Coyne College requires that prospective students take certain steps.
Prior to entering the classes, prospective students are supposed to complete the application to Coyne College.
It can be found on the school’s official website and it is very important to fill it out with honest and accurate answers as you will be asked about your personal and education data.
Then, you will get in touch with Coyne College representatives by phone, SMS, email, or postal mail.
Their job is to tell you what the next steps are and how to finish your application process.
If you have trouble, they will guide you through it.
Fees: There is no information related to the tuition and fees but, the website offers a possibility of using tuition calculator to calculate how much your future education at Coyne College will cost.
Prices are reasonable at Coyne College, being that paying for higher education can be quite struggling.
Courses Offered:
- Hvac Refrigeration
- Electrical Construction & Planning
- Electrical Construction & Maintenance
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
- Pharmacy Technician
Contact Information:
- Coyne College
- Address: 1 N State St #400, Chicago, IL 60602
- Phone: +1 800-720-3990
- Web: https://www.coynecollege.ed
Dental Assistant Academy of Chicago
Dental Assistant Academy of Chicago programs offer lectures and hands-on practice in a real dental office.
Enrollment: If you are wondering whether you are eligible to attend this school, you should know that there are enrollment requirements that prospective students have to fulfill prior to enter the academy.
First, eligible are only those people who are at least 18 years old or 17 years old with the permission of a parent or guardian and have a high school diploma.
Furthermore, they have to be able to pass a basic entrance exam which consists of a manual dexterity test as well as a written test.
Those who meet the requirements are required to schedule a tour online or this can be done by calling the office or email them at chicagodentalcareer@gmail.com.
Fees: Dental Assistant Academy of Chicago has certain payment plans which are aimed at helping future students pay their education
There is a non-refundable registration fee of $200 that has to be paid, as well as tuition of $5,500 which includes books, uniform & supplies and some miscellaneous education-related expenses.
Courses Offered:
- Dental Assisting Program
Contact Information:
- Dental Assistant Academy of Chicago
- Address: 25 E Washington St #1927, Chicago, IL 60602
- Phone: +1 312-465-2718
- Web: https://www.dentalassistantacademyofchicago.com
Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts
Enrollment: Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts has made the application process very easy so that everyone interested can apply.
Submitting the application form is just the first step in registering for the Leather Technician Certification Program at Chicago School of Shoemaking & Leather Arts.
Once your application form found on the school’s official webpage is filled out, and $500 deposit is paid so as to secure registration, you are going to be scheduled an appointment for an interview during which both your admission representative and you will determine whether this specific school is the right choice for you.
If accepted, you will receive an invoice which allows partial payment of tuition and you are supposed to finish paying tuition by August 15th.
Fees: Future students are obliged to pay $7495 tuition and a $500 tuition deposit when submitting the application.
Courses Offered:
- LEATHER CARVING & TOOLING
- FOOTWEAR CLASSES
- LASTED SHOEMAKING/BALLET FLATS AND LOAFERS
- BEGINNING SHOEMAKING
- TALL BOOT MAKING
- PATTERN MAKING/SHOES
- SANDAL MAKING
- SNEAKERS
- PRIVATE TUTORING–LEATHER WORK & FOOTWEAR
Contact Information:
- Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts
- Address: 3717 N Ravenswood Ave #113, Chicago, IL 60613
- Phone: +1 773-242-7436
- Web: https://www.chicagoschoolofshoemaking.com
Northwestern College Bridgeview Campus
Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Enrollment: To be admitted to Northwestern College, a prospective student must meet the following criteria:
He/she has to be e a graduate from a high school recognized by the state in which the diploma was issued or hold a GED.
Furthermore, he/she needs to have an ACT score of at
least 15 or an SAT score of at least 810.
All prospective students are required to attend a career information session, as well.
The application process starts with completing an admissions application for your program of choice and completing the FAFSA if you are in need of financial aid.
You are required to submit proof of graduation from state-recognized high school/GED certificate, enrollment paperwork
and completed/signed Enrollment Agreement.
Educational institutes should send signed copies of your transcripts to:
Office of the Registrar
Northwestern College
7725 S. Harlem Ave.
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Last, but not least, you will have to pass the College’s entrance/placement examination unless you have earned an associate’s degree or higher.
Fees: Tuition is charged per quarter credit hour.
These are some of the other fees charged:
- Application fee $25
- Diploma Replacement Fee $35
- Graduation Fee $100
- ID Replacement Fee $10
- Independent Study Fee $50/credit hour
- Collection Placement Fee $15
- Returned Check Fee $25
- Transcripts $5
Courses Offered:
- RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY
- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
- HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
- CODING SPECIALIST
- DENTAL ASSISTING
- MEDICAL ASSISTING
Contact Information:
- Northwestern College Bridgeview Campus
- Address: Southern Suburbs, Chicagoland Township, 7725 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL 60455
- Phone: +1 708-237-5000
- Web: https://nc.edu
Film Connection Film Institute
Film Connection Film Institute offers high-quality education to all people interested in the film industry.
That is why it is so attractive to younger generations who are searching for their place among film stars.
Enrollment: People who are interested in applying should be familiar with the fact that there are no special requirements for enrollment, but you have to be interested in the field and show desire and eagerness to achieve more advanced knowledge.
This means that not everybody will be able to enter.
Future students will first be interviewed by the mentor.
During that conversation, he/she will determine whether the school is the right choice for the specific candidate.
If the decision is positive, the applicant will be accepted.
Prospective students are required to go to a no-cost open-house interview and the school staff will arrange a plan that is right for them.
What an applicant has to do is to set a tour of a company which is done by submitting an application to the Film Connection.
You can find it on the school’s official website, fill it out and submit it online.
Enrollment information can be gathered by consulting an Admissions Representative.
Fees: Film Connection for Film Production & Editing Tuition is $13,040.
Film Connection for Cinematography Tuition cost is $12,750.
All the fees are included in the tuition cost.
Courses Offered:
- Film Production & Editing
- Cinematography
- Editing
- Screenwriting
Contact Information:
- Film Connection Film Institute
- Address: 155 N Upper Wacker Dr #4250, Chicago
- Phone: +1 312-878-4470
- Web: https://www.filmconnection.com
Dawson Technical Institute
Kennedy-King College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Enrollment: CCC is open to students all year-round.
You can take a look at the Admissions Application Calendar which will show you the key dates for application or you can visit the Admissions Office at the college of your choice to gather more information.
The application process starts with completing an online application, where you will be asked to provide a valid e-mail address as all the further information will be delivered via e-mail.
Then, you should regularly check Your Email, as you will get your student credentials shortly after applying.
The next step is logging in to My.CCC.edu portal to continue the enrollment process.
Fees: Tuition costs vary, depending on your residency status.
Students who reside in the District City of Chicago are supposed to pay $146 per credit hour, while Out-of-State residents will pay $481.
Courses Offered:
Among so many programs offered, these are just a few to mention:
- ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
- BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
- CULINARY ARTS & HOSPITALITY
- EDUCATION
- HEALTHCARE
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- HUMAN SCIENCES
- NATURAL SCIENCES
- TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS
Contact Information:
- Dawson Technical Institute
- Address: 3901 S State St, Chicago, IL 60609
- Phone: +1 773-602-5555
- Web: http://www.ccc.edu
Steven Papageorge Hair Academy
The Steven Papageorge Hair Academy in Chicago provides students with excellent training and that is the reason why they are considered one of the best beauty schools in Chicago.
The Steven Papageorge Hair Academy is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.
Prospective students should know that instructors are so dedicated to transfer their knowledge and excellence to their students.
Enrollment: There are no special requirements for enrollment in this academy.
The academy has a rolling basis enrollment and the classes start on the first Tuesday of every month.
Future students can either choose a full-time course of study or a part-time day or evening class schedule.
Fees: Tuition and fees vary depending on the course chosen.
Cosmetology students would need to pay:
- Tuition $17,250
- Registration Fee $100
- Student Kit $600
- Total $17,950
Cosmetology Instructor students would have to pay the following costs:
- Tuition $11,500
- Registration Fee $100
- Student Kit $400
- Total $12,000
Nail Technology course costs are:
- Tuition $4,025
- Registration Fee $100
- Student Kit $300
- Total $4,425
Courses Offered:
- Cosmetology Foundation
- Hair Sculpting
- Hair Design
- Texture Theory
- Color Theory
- Salon Management
Contact Information:
- Steven Papageorge Hair Academy
- Address: 1113-15 W Belmont Ave fl 2, Chicago, IL 60657
- Phone: +1 773-883-5100
- Web: http://stevenpapageorgehairacademy.com
Recording Connection Audio Institute
The Recording Connection is an on-the-job training program.
It is an amazing educational institution for people who want to pursue careers in the recording industry as music producers and audio engineers.
Enrollment: The enrollment process is easy and everybody can apply, but not everyone will be accepted.
You will need to sign up now for a personal tour of a real recording studio in your city during which you will meet a professional music producer or audio engineer who will be your private teacher.
The application form can be found on the institute’s official website and should be filled out and submitted.
If the staff determines that you are the right fit for this school, you will be allowed to attend it.
Fees: When it comes to tuition, base cost for all courses available is $12.750.
However, each course has certain software and curriculum expenses which range from $110 to $610 making the total cost vary.
All in all, Recording Connection provides mentor-based programs that are affordable, so you can stay in control of your finances and even allows certain financial support.
Courses Offered:
- AUDIO ENGINEERING & MUSIC PRODUCTION
- ADVANCED AUDIO ENGINEERING & MUSIC PRODUCTION
- HIP HOP & BEAT MAKING
- LIVE MUSIC
- LOGIC PRO ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION
- ABLETON ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION
- ADVANCED ABLETON ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION
- MUSIC PRODUCING
- LIVE DJ
- MUSIC BUSINESS
Contact Information:
- Recording Connection Audio Institute
- Address: 155 N Upper Wacker Dr #4250, Chicago, IL 60606
- Phone: +1 800-755-7597
- Web: https://www.recordingconnection.com
West Chicago Professional Center
The West Chicago Professional Center is a vocational school which offers its students education related to the field of heating and air conditioning.
Enrollment: There are certain eligibility criteria set by the center’s staff that future student must meet.
So as to become a possible student at the West Chicago Professional Center school you must be 18 years old or older and have a High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma.
In case you do not have a diploma, you can pass applicable admission exams given by West Chicago Professional Center School.
Before you are able to get into the class, you will need to have the permission of the director of the school.
Fees: Each program has its own tuition costs and you can easily find out how much you need to be paying for education.
The tuition at this college differs, depending on the program and the costs are the following:
- HVAC Technician – $4541
- Electrician Technician – $4367
- Combined Program – $8578
Courses Offered:
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Course
- Electrical Course
- Combined Program
Contact Information:
- West Chicago Professional Center
- Address: 1801 E Fabyan Pkwy, West Chicago, IL 60185
- Phone: +1 630-232-3250
- Web: https://www.westchicagohvac.com
Trade Schools in Illinois by City
See trade schools in Illinois >>Final Thoughts
If you have a specific occupational career goal in mind, our suggestion is to choose a vocational school rather than a traditional college or university and get your diploma and future job in a much shorter period of time.