Joliet Junior College vs. Richland Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL with Richland Community College in Decatur, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Joliet Junior College is larger than Richland Community College based on total student enrollment (14,414 students vs. 2,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Richland Community College is in Decatur, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Joliet Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Richland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Joliet Junior College 20:1; Richland Community College 15:1.

Joliet Junior College vs. Richland Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Joliet Junior College or Richland Community 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 Richland Community College ($3,090 vs. $4,527).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Joliet Junior College are 17.1% lower than at Richland Community College ($9,970 vs. $12,020).
• Joliet Junior College is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Richland Community College (about $1,950 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $10,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at Richland Community College than at Joliet Junior College (about $3,270 more per year; $17,070.00 vs. $13,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Richland Community College than at Joliet Junior College (81% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Richland Community College students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Joliet Junior College students ($6,527 vs. $6,311).

Joliet Junior College vs. Richland Community College Admissions comparison

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

Joliet Junior College vs. Richland Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Joliet Junior College and Richland Community 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 $4,100 more per year than Richland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $30,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Richland Community College graduates have a $1,238 lower median loan debt than Joliet Junior College graduates ($6,762 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Richland Community College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Joliet Junior College graduates ($69 vs. $82).
• More Joliet Junior College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Richland Community College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 34%)

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.