Start now, end sooner

Make this summer count

Discover your passion at College of Lake County. Move forward for less with flexible options, lower cost and smaller classes.

Find your purpose

Whatever your interest, you will find it at CLC:

  • 150+ degree and certificate programs
  • Degrees to transfer to 4-year colleges and universities
  • Career certificates to enter the workforce in as little as 4 months

CLC programs fall into 9 areas of study:

  • Arts, digital media and communication
  • Business, hospitality and information technology
  • Education and social sciences
  • Humanities, culture and global studies
  • Legal studies and public safety
  • Manufacturing, engineering and advanced technologies
  • Science and math
  • Sustainability and horticulture
  • Wellness and health sciences

Discover who you want to be. Start at CLC.

Healthcare students scrubbing up at the sink

Industrial technology student measuring a part

Student drawing in art class

Start here, transfer anywhere

Transferring credits or an associate degree can be a smooth process at CLC.

Seamlessly transfer to more than 30 4-year schools through Guaranteed Transfer Agreements (GTA).

When you go to community college first, you're more likely to complete your bachelor’s degree, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

Top 5 transfer programs at CLC and the most common transfer universities after CLC

Source: CLC Community Impact Report 2025

Student wearing university logo sweatshirt

Affordable, quality education

Pay less in tuition and fees. Save on room and board when you study close to home.

Want to earn a bachelor's degree? Spend your first two years at CLC and save more than $33,000 in tuition and fees, alone. Then transfer seamlessly to a 4-year school to complete your degree.

Pursuing a career degree or certificate? Affordable in-district tuition lets you enter the workforce with little to no debt.

Financial aid and scholarships are available. So are apprenticeships and internships.

Annual tuition and fees at CLC is 66% less at $4,494 compared to $13,524 at public 4-year institutions

Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2023-2024 Tuition & Fees Rate Average

Nursing student conversing with another student

Get the full college experience

Enjoy a vibrant student life, on campus or online:

  • 34 student organizations
  • 14 sports teams
  • 13 ways to explore the arts
  • 8 musical ensembles
  • 3 academic teams
Automotive students hanging out in atrium

Student playing soccer

Care for the whole you

It takes holistic support to thrive in college. And CLC excels at supporting students. Just some of our free and low-cost services:

  • Tutoring
  • Personalized onboarding and advising
  • Technology (borrow laptops, calculators, Wi-Fi hot spots)
  • Textbooks
  • Mental and physical health services
  • Personal wellness (gym membership, personal training, massage therapy, dental hygiene)
  • SHARE Market food pantry, and more!
Student working out in the CLC Fitness & Athletic Center, Grayslake

Student getting a hug

Career-focused programs connect to local jobs

Two-year career degrees and short-term certificates help you land an entry-level job in a high-demand field.

Clinical experiences, internships and apprenticeships help you hone skills in the real world. And build your network with local employers.

CLC works with local employers to align programs with industry demand.

The Career and Job Placement Center connects you to employment through job fairs, one-on-one career sessions, resume and interview prep, and more.

Automotive Technology students learning hands on

Welding student learning hands on

Want to learn more?

A College & Career Navigator (CCN) can help answer your questions about:

  • academic program options
  • how to apply at CLC
  • ways to pay for college
  • access to helpful resources

Request for information

You will thrive at CLC

  • Kylie Kundert in the ARM lab

    Kylie Kundert

    Student

    "I knew I would come out of it with the skills necessary to enter into the workforce."

    Kylie is earning a degree in automation, robotics and mechatronics. After touring the lab at CLC, she knew advanced manufacturing was her future. And that she'd gain the skills here to succeed.

    Learn about manufacturing careers

    Kylie Kundert in the ARM lab
  • Photo of Kamden Kuklinski

    Kamden Kuklinski

    Transfer student

    “CLC was a really good option for me. It was very affordable. The smaller class sizes and community feel definitely made it feel like home.”

    Kamden studied biological sciences at CLC, then transferred to Lake Forest College to earn a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. He is doing biomedical research as he prepares for graduate school.

    Read Kamden's story

    Photo of Kamden Kuklinski
  • Kennedee Clark playing basketball

    Kennedee Clark

    Student athlete

    “CLC has helped me not only with affordable tuition but also by improving both my court skills and academics.”

    Student athletes at CLC compete at a high level, get more playing time and build a strong academic foundation.

    Kennedee Clark playing basketball
  • Photo of student in welding and fabrication class

    Kyle Thorne

    Graduate

    "While I love the space and equipment, it was the instructors that kept me at CLC. They helped make sure I learned the right way, and I had fun doing it."

    Kyle took welding and fabrication classes at the CLC Grayslake campus and Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee. He then started his own mobile welding business.

    Explore ways to build the future

    Photo of student in welding and fabrication class
  • Katherine Torres

    Katherine Torres

    Biology student

    “CLC truly goes above and beyond to meet student needs. It’s not just about classes—it’s about helping students survive and thrive.”

    Kat is actively involved in the CLC Scholars program and Student Government Association. She studies biological sciences and plans to work as a physician assistant or in public health legislation.

    Read a Q&A with Kat

    Katherine Torres
  • Photo of Kenneth Dante

    Kenneth Dantes

    Transfer student

    "It felt like a community because there were actually those teachers that have time for you."

    Kenneth studied literature at CLC, then transferred to Elmhurst University. While at CLC, he worked on film projects in Chicago to gain experience and to network. He now works in Los Angeles as a production assistant for streaming shows.

    Read Kenneth's story

    Photo of Kenneth Dante
  • Estefanni Caballero

    Estefanni Caballero

    Graduate

    "It was a great learning experience where I got to work hands-on while still attending class."

    Estefanni was a student worker in the PR and Marketing department at CLC. She transferred to Lake Forest College to pursue a bachelor's degree. She also works in marketing at Fischer Paper Products to gain professional experience.

    Estefanni Caballero
1/7

Start at CLC this summer

  • Classes start Monday, June 8
  • Summer term ends Friday, July 30

Get registration help before classes begin

CLC is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 6 for walk-in or call-in assistance.

Complete the request information form

Discover who you want to be

You don’t need to figure out your entire future before starting at CLC. Affordable classes let you explore. Caring advisors and faculty help you find your path.

In this short video, follow Nina as she discovers what to study and who she wants to become.

See what you can do here

Choose from 40 art, science and career-focused associate degrees and 115 short-term career certificates.

Find a program

Explore classes

See what courses are available, when they meet and where.

Search classes