Oakton College vs. Parkland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL with Parkland College in Champaign, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakton College is larger than Parkland College based on total student enrollment (8,329 students vs. 6,014 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakton College is located in Des Plaines, IL (Small City setting); Parkland College is in Champaign, IL (Small City setting).
• Oakton College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Parkland College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakton College 14:1; Parkland College 14:1.

Oakton College vs. Parkland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakton College or Parkland 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 Oakton College than Parkland College ($5,401 vs. $7,681).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakton College are 4.3% lower than at Parkland College ($8,994 vs. $9,400).
• Oakton College is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkland College (about $804 more per year; $10,446.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Parkland College than at Oakton College (about $804 more per year; $13,266.00 vs. $12,462.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakton College than at Parkland College (62% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Parkland College students is 19% larger than aid received by Oakton College students ($7,244 vs. $6,085).

Oakton College vs. Parkland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakton College or Parkland 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 Parkland College and Oakton College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakton College - Open admission; Parkland College - Open admission.

Oakton College vs. Parkland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakton College and Parkland 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 Oakton College earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Parkland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakton College graduates have a $2,133 lower median loan debt than Parkland College graduates ($5,867 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Oakton College graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Parkland College graduates ($60 vs. $82).
• More Oakton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Parkland College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 32%)

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.