Job training programs in Illinois

2,600 programs in 80 fields, with results and funding that can make them free

299 schools offer these programs, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Compare the fields below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

Online programs in Illinois · Programs of 12 weeks or less

Accredited schools in Illinois: Trade schools · Nursing schools · Medical certification programs · Allied health programs · IT schools · Business schools · First responder schools · Transportation schools · Culinary and hospitality schools · Child care and social services programs

Job training in Illinois by line of work

Each line of work compares its fields in Illinois. A line gets a page once two of its fields have one here.

Compare job training in Illinois: cost, pay and results

Job training in Illinois, by field
Training	Programs	Most cost	Earned a year, estimated	Working 6 months later	Finished
IT training	216	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Welding classes	136	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Auto mechanic classes	103	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
CDL training	94	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out
CNA classes	86	Left out	about $28,600	79%	Left out
Medical assistant training	86	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Industrial maintenance technician training	84	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Accounting and bookkeeping classes	81	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out
Administrative assistant training	78	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
HVAC training	77	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Web and graphic design courses	74	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
RN programs	72	Left out	about $60,100	82%	Left out
Cybersecurity training	68	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Business administration programs	67	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out
Coding and software development courses	66	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
CNC machinist training	64	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Medical billing and coding training	56	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Phlebotomy training	54	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Early childhood education programs	53	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out
EMT classes	52	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Project management certification	48	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
LPN programs	47	Left out	about $44,500	83%	Left out
Supply chain and logistics training	40	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Manufacturing technician training	40	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Pharmacy technician training	39	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Medical administrative assistant training	36	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Data analytics courses	36	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Dental assistant programs	34	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Criminal justice programs	34	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out
Paralegal programs	31	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Electrician training	30	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Human resources training	29	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Culinary school	28	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Radiology tech programs	27	Left out	about $50,200	Not enough data	Left out
Electronics technician training	27	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Construction training programs	24	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Health information technology programs	24	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Diesel mechanic training	22	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Digital marketing courses	21	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
AutoCAD and drafting courses	20	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Patient care technician training	19	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out
Surgical tech programs	17	Left out	about $46,000	100%	Not reported
EKG technician programs	16	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Auto body repair classes	16	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
PTA programs	15	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Respiratory therapy programs	14	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Medical lab technician programs	14	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Carpentry classes	13	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Dialysis technician training	13	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Sonography school	12	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Dental hygiene programs	11	Left out	about $58,300	76%	Left out
Addiction counselor training	11	Left out	about $38,000	80%	Not reported
Aircraft mechanic school	10	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Human services programs	10	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Plumbing school	9	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Massage therapy school	9	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Lineman school	9	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Fire academy	8	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
MRI tech school	7	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Cosmetology school	6	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Hospitality management programs	6	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
OTA programs	6	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Solar and wind technician training	6	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Heavy equipment operator training	5	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Police academy	4	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Sterile processing technician training	4	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Vet tech programs	4	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not reported
Masonry training	4	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Healthcare administration programs	3	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Forklift certification	2	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Teacher assistant certification	2	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Water treatment operator training	2	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Insurance license courses	2	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Barber school	1	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Home health aide training	1	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Community health worker training	1	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Customer service training	1	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Flight school	1	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Mental health technician training	1	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Sheet metal training	1	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported

Each figure is the middle program of that field. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate.Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools in Illinois may offer more. How these figures are made

Is there free job training in Illinois?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program counted on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.¹²³
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁴ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.³
Or pay yourself. Each field's page lists every program with its price if you pay yourself.

Job training in Chicago, Rockford, Mount Vernon and other Illinois areas

Programs with classes in each area, all fields together. An area gets a page once it has 30 programs, or one field there has 10.

Where the Illinois job training numbers come from

Which Illinois programs are counted?

Programs Illinois approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁵ They come from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Illinois offers.

What the figures for each field mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

How reliable are the Illinois figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Illinois among the states with "known data quality concerns".⁶ We leave out the share who finished for Illinois: only a few programs report it, and those at a typical 11%. We leave out prices for Illinois: the state files a code in place of each price, so no price can be shown.

Sources for the funding facts about job training in Illinois

Show the 6 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services