Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College, located in Joliet, Illinois, approximately 45 miles southwest of Chicago, holds the distinction of being America's first public community college, established in 1901. The main campus encompasses 368 acres in a suburban setting, featuring modern academic facilities and technical training centers. The college serves students across seven counties in northern Illinois, offering more than 180 degree and certificate programs with particular strengths in nursing, culinary arts, agriculture, and automotive technology. The campus includes dedicated facilities for hands-on learning, including a working farm, professional kitchens, and automotive labs, while also providing student housing through the newly constructed Centennial Commons residential facility. Multiple satellite locations throughout the region extend the college's educational reach into surrounding communities.