Joliet Junior College vs. Prairie State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL with Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Joliet Junior College is larger than Prairie State College based on total student enrollment (14,414 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Prairie State College is in Chicago Heights, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Joliet Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Prairie State College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Joliet Junior College 20:1; Prairie State College 12:1.

Joliet Junior College vs. Prairie State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Joliet Junior College or Prairie State 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 Prairie State College ($3,090 vs. $5,317).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Prairie State College are 24.6% lower than at Joliet Junior College ($7,516 vs. $9,970).
• Joliet Junior College is 36.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Prairie State College (about $3,408 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $9,342.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.7% higher at Joliet Junior College than at Prairie State College (about $2,736 more per year; $13,800.00 vs. $11,064.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Prairie State College than at Joliet Junior College (68% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Prairie State College students is 34.2% larger than aid received by Joliet Junior College students ($8,470 vs. $6,311).

Joliet Junior College vs. Prairie State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Joliet Junior College or Prairie State 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 Prairie State 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; Prairie State College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Joliet Junior College Aug 16, 2027.

Joliet Junior College vs. Prairie State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Joliet Junior College and Prairie State 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 $1,100 more per year than Prairie State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Joliet Junior College graduates have a $2,232 lower median loan debt than Prairie State College graduates ($8,000 vs. $10,232).
• Among borrowers, Joliet Junior College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Prairie State College graduates ($82 vs. $105).
• More Joliet Junior College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Prairie State College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 28%)

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.