Prairie State College: programs, outcomes and local jobs

Prairie State College at a glance

• 2,443

  students enrolled

• 729

  degrees and certificates a year

• 21%

  of students complete

  College Scorecard

• $4,738

  average net price a year

  Tuition $8,610 in state, $10,332 out of state

• $30,388

  median earnings, 6 years after entry

• $36,696

  median earnings, 10 years after entry

  84% working

What students study

AI and data programs

Prairie State College reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024. A new program with no graduates yet would not appear here.

The job market around Prairie State College

Professional jobs listed in the cities of Cook County, where the college is.

• 10,144

  open professional jobs

• 954

  entry level

  75 say no experience is needed

• 11%

  ask for AI skills

  1,107 jobs

• 5.9%

  unemployment in Cook County

  2026-08 · up 1.2 points from a year earlier

• $81,797

  median household income

  Cook County

• 46%

  of workers are in professional jobs

  estimated 4.0% unemployment among them

Jobs that fit what students study here: most degrees are in health professions, computer & information sciences, security & protective services, which lead to clinical (139 open), engineering (1,384 open), data & analytics (709 open), security (133 open), product (165 open).

Hiring most: Northern Trust (148), Mars (81), Michael Page (81), Arthur J. Gallagher (79), Gallagher Bassett (74), Gallagher (72), West Monroe (71), PwC (69).

What they hire for: Finance (1,578), Sales (1,411), Engineering (1,384), Operations (1,022), Data & Analytics (709), Marketing (510). Finance jobs

Job search help near campus

Workforce board: LWIA 7.

• American Job Center at the King CenterChicago · 773-538-5627 · Monday 08:30-17:00, Tuesday 08:30-17:00, Wednesday 08:30-17:00, Thursday 08:30-17:00, Friday 08:30-17:00,
• American Job Center at Truman CollegeChicago · Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• American Job Center in MaywoodMaywood · 708-223-2652 · Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00
• American Job Center in North RiversideNorth Riverside · 708-222-3100 · 8:30am -5:00pm Monday - Friday
• American Job Center in PilsenChicago · 312-994-8305 · Monday 08:30-17:00, Tuesday 08:30-17:00, Wednesday 08:30-17:00, Thursday 08:30-17:00, Friday 08:30-17:00
• American Job Center in WheelingWheeling Illinois · 847-484-8187 · Monday 08:30-17:00, Tuesday 08:30-17:00, Wednesday 08:30-17:00, Thursday 08:30-17:00, Friday 08:30-17:00

American Job Centers are free, public career offices.

Similar colleges in Illinois

• Lake Land CollegeMattoon · 2,448 students
• Lewis and Clark Community CollegeGodfrey · 2,487 students
• City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeChicago · 2,505 students
• Black Hawk CollegeMoline · 2,354 students
• Morton CollegeCicero · 2,640 students
• City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley CollegeChicago · 2,789 students

All Illinois colleges

Common questions

How big is Prairie State College?

Prairie State College enrolls about 2,443 students and is a public 2-year institution in Chicago Heights, Illinois. It awards about 729 degrees and certificates a year.

What is the graduation rate at Prairie State College?

21% of students complete, from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS 2023 / Scorecard 2026-06).

What do Prairie State College graduates earn?

Median earnings of students who received federal aid are $30,388 six years after entry and $36,696 ten years after entry, from the College Scorecard.

Does Prairie State College offer AI or data science degrees?

Prairie State College reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024 (IPEDS completions). A new program with no graduates yet would not appear.

Are there jobs near Prairie State College?

10,144 open professional jobs are listed in Cook County, 954 of them entry level and 75 saying no experience is needed. Northern Trust has the most openings.