Oakton College vs. Richland Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Oakton College is larger than Richland Community College based on total student enrollment (8,329 students vs. 2,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakton College is located in Des Plaines, IL (Small City setting); Richland Community College is in Decatur, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Oakton College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Richland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakton College 14:1; Richland Community College 15:1.

Oakton College vs. Richland Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakton 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 Richland Community College than Oakton College ($4,527 vs. $5,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakton College are 25.2% lower than at Richland Community College ($8,994 vs. $12,020).
• Richland Community College is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakton College (about $354 more per year; $10,800.00 vs. $10,446.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at Richland Community College than at Oakton College (about $4,608 more per year; $17,070.00 vs. $12,462.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Richland Community College than at Oakton College (81% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Richland Community College students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Oakton College students ($6,527 vs. $6,085).

Oakton College vs. Richland Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakton 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 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; Richland Community College - Open admission.

Oakton College vs. Richland Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakton 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 Oakton College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Richland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $30,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakton College graduates have a $895 lower median loan debt than Richland Community College graduates ($5,867 vs. $6,762).
• Among borrowers, Oakton College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Richland Community College graduates ($60 vs. $69).
• More Oakton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Richland Community College students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.