While adapting to future trends, Kankakee Community College plays a vital role in training qualified workers for many occupations. The college’s career-focused programs and certificates are driven by input from advisory committees made up of local business and industry. KCC also offers the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, providing a high-quality, affordable foundation before transferring to four-year universities.
Students can benefit from multiple services including career search help, veterans’ services, and programs for dislocated workers with financial need.
KCC remains an affordable option to develop skills for high wage careers. Full-time tuition and fees are below $5,000 (www.ilcollege2career.com), and average financial aid awards are above $5,400 (2024-25 school year). More than 40% of students receive financial aid.
Through continuing education, business partnerships, career services and adult education, the college meets the community’s needs with custom training, personal enrichment, free GED® preparation, and other opportunities.
Olivet offers students opportunities to choose from more than 140 areas of study, participate in 90 clubs and organizations, play on 22 intercollegiate athletic teams, take advantage of study-abroad and volunteer experiences around the world, and benefit from a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The private university is consistently ranked as a College of Distinction, and in 2024 was ranked as the #10 Best Value Regional University in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.
Focused on preparing students for lives of service in meaningful careers in every industry, Olivet has seen strong growth over the last decade, particularly in the Martin D. Walker School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Features of the School of STEM include ABET-accreditation in engineering; six engineering concentrations including architectural, chemical, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical; and a Computer & Emerging Technologies program that includes a high-demand major in Cybersecurity Defense and 13 optional industry certifications. Visit olivet.edu for more information.
The Kankakee Area Career Center equips high school juniors and seniors with the technical skills, certifications, and real-world experience needed to succeed in today’s workforce and higher education.
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KACC also focuses on essential soft skills, career exploration, and adaptability, ensuring students are ready for success in any path they choose—whether entering the workforce or continuing their education. KACC: Building skilled, confident, and career-ready students for our community’s future.
The Grundy Livingston Kankakee Workforce Board is responsible for local workforce development training which enables individuals and employers to succeed in today’s economy.
A partnership between the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, KCC, and the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley, Career Coach is a free location-based online tool to connect local career and training opportunities with available employment.
Take the first bold step toward transforming potential into tangible economic success in Kankakee County.
