Joliet Junior College vs. Lake Land College

Comparable Facts

Compare Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL with Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Joliet Junior College is larger than Lake Land College based on total student enrollment (14,414 students vs. 3,960 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Lake Land College is in Mattoon, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Joliet Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Lake Land College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Joliet Junior College 20:1; Lake Land College 13:1.

Joliet Junior College vs. Lake Land College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Joliet Junior College or Lake Land College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Joliet Junior College than Lake Land College ($3,090 vs. $4,414).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Land College are 39.8% lower than at Joliet Junior College ($6,000 vs. $9,970).
• Joliet Junior College is 52.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Land College (about $4,408 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $8,342.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Lake Land College than at Joliet Junior College (about $501 more per year; $14,301.00 vs. $13,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Land College than at Joliet Junior College (80% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Joliet Junior College students is 12.4% larger than aid received by Lake Land College students ($6,311 vs. $5,615).

Joliet Junior College vs. Lake Land College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Joliet Junior College or Lake Land College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lake Land College and Joliet Junior College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Joliet Junior College - Open admission; Lake Land College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Joliet Junior College Aug 16, 2027; Lake Land College Sep 3, 2026.

Joliet Junior College vs. Lake Land College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Joliet Junior College and Lake Land College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Joliet Junior College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Lake Land College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Land College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Joliet Junior College graduates ($4,500 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Lake Land College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Joliet Junior College graduates ($46 vs. $82).
• More Lake Land College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Joliet Junior College students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.