Prairie State College (PSC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Prairie State College
Set in the south suburbs, Prairie State College has a neighborly feel and a practical streak. Known for transfer-focused academics, career training, and a humanities core that keeps thinking sharp, it pairs accessible faculty with real support: tutoring, writing help, counseling, advising that listens, a well-used library, and updated labs. Services for veterans and students with disabilities are part of the mix, along with folks who help you navigate aid and next steps.
Campus life is active without the noise. Clubs, cultural programs, gallery shows, and casual performances give commuters a reason to stick around, while fitness spaces offer a breather. The culture is welcoming and rooted in the community. Career prep shows up in resume help, employer visits, and connections across the south suburbs and the Chicago area, with nearby neighborhoods offering internships, service projects, and learning that doesn't stay on the page.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Prairie State College (PSC) offers 40 degree programs across 14 major academic fields, graduating approximately 942 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (2 programs, 377 graduates), Health (8 programs, 331 graduates), Computer & IT (7 programs, 62 graduates), Mechanics (4 programs, 49 graduates) and Security & Safety (1 programs, 43 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 377 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 322 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
| General Studies | 55 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0102 |
Health (8 programs, 331 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing and Patient Care Assistant | 136 |
|
Residency
Other Award
|
51.3902 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 62 |
|
Residency
|
51.0904 |
| Emergency Care Attendant | 39 |
|
Residency
Other Award
|
51.0810 |
| Dental Hygiene | 34 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0602 |
| Registered Nursing | 33 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Dental Assisting | 15 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0601 |
| Surgical Technology | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0909 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
Computer & IT (7 programs, 62 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Support Specialist | 21 |
|
Residency
|
11.1006 |
| Information Technology | 13 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0103 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 11 |
|
Residency
Other Award
|
11.0801 |
| Computer Programming | 8 |
|
Other Award
|
11.0201 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
11.0901 |
| Network and System Administration | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
11.1001 |
| System and Network Management | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
11.1002 |
Mechanics (4 programs, 49 graduates)
Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Mechanics Technology | 28 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0604 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology | 11 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
47.0201 |
| Computer Installation and Repair Technology | 7 |
|
Other Award
|
47.0104 |
| Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology | 3 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
47.0303 |
Security & Safety (1 programs, 43 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Science and Firefighting | 43 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0203 |
Business (5 programs, 20 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 8 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0701 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 4 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52.0302 |
| Business Administration | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0101 |
| Accounting and Business Management | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0305 |
| Business Administration and Management | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0201 |
Construction (1 programs, 17 graduates)
Building Trades, Construction Management and Skilled Crafts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 17 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
46.0302 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 15 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 15 |
|
Associate's
|
30.0101 |
Production (1 programs, 10 graduates)
Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology | 10 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
48.0508 |
Eng. Technologies (4 programs, 6 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15.0613 |
| CAD and CADD Drafting and Design Technology | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
15.1302 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
15.0303 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
15.0805 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Prairie State College (PSC)
How much does it cost to attend Prairie State College (PSC)?
The annual tuition at Prairie State College (PSC) is $9,342 for in-state students and $11,064 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $11,842 for in-state students and $13,564 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $7,516 (off-campus) and books and supplies $2,500.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Prairie State College offer?
Prairie State College (PSC) offers 40 academic programs across 14 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (8 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (7 programs)
- Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance (4 programs)
- Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Prairie State College?
Prairie State College (PSC) provides financial aid to 9% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $7,897 and average loans of $5,721.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $6,111
- State/Local grants: $2,804
- Institutional grants: $4,201
- Federal loans: $5,721
The university supports 165 students with grants and 14 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Prairie State College graduates?
Prairie State College (PSC) graduates earn a median salary of $30,388 after 6 years and $36,696 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $17,424 (25th percentile) to $56,976 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $61,500 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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