Oakton College

Oakton Community College operates two campuses in Chicago's northern suburbs, with its main campus situated on 147 acres in Des Plaines and a second location in Skokie. The Des Plaines campus features modern academic buildings surrounded by wooded areas, walking trails, and a natural prairie restoration area located approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Established in 1969, Oakton serves students in Chicago's northern suburbs with comprehensive two-year degree programs and certificate options, with notable strengths in health sciences, STEM fields, and business programs. The college maintains transfer partnerships with major four-year institutions throughout Illinois and provides workforce development programs aligned with regional employer needs. Students can access resources including a library, technology centers, and science laboratories across both campuses, though Oakton operates as a non-residential commuter college.