Prairie State College

Prairie State College is a public two-year institution located in Chicago Heights, Illinois, in a large suburban area setting. The college enrolls 6,053 students (IPEDS 2023) and holds a quality score of 27.83 out of 100. Its completion rate is 19% (IPEDS 2023), and its retention rate is 55% (IPEDS 2023).

Prairie State College offers a wide range of certificate programs in skilled trades, engineering technology, healthcare, and the arts. Trades and technology programs include Electrician, Welding Technology/Welder, Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician, Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician, Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician, Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician, Energy Systems Technology/Technician, and Graphic Communications at various certificate levels. Healthcare offerings include Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse and Physical Therapy Assistant. The college also offers a Recording Arts Technology/Technician certificate.

Located in Chicago Heights in the southern suburbs of Chicago, Prairie State College serves a diverse student population across the south suburban Cook County area. Its broad trades and technology curriculum supports workforce development aligned with regional manufacturing and healthcare industries.