College credits that count, close to home

The best start for your student

CLC is the smart choice for college.

Start here, then transfer to a 4-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree. Or train for a trade or career in two years or less. Choose the path that fits you best.

Quality education close to home

Pay less in tuition and fees and save on room and board.

Spend your first 2 years at CLC and save more than $33,000 in tuition and fees. Then seamlessly transfer to a 4-year school to complete your bachelor's degree.

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

Many financial aid and scholarship options available. So are internships and apprenticeships.

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.

Start here, transfer anywhere

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

Seamlessly transfer to over 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

Succeed with free and low-cost resources

Get personalized guidance and access to resources:

  • Tutoring
  • Technology (borrow laptops, calculators and Wi-Fi hot spots)
  • Affordable textbooks
  • Mental and physical health services
  • SHARE Market food pantry, and more!
CLC representative speaking with a future student at the Open House

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
Student playing soccer

55 years of brighter futures

  • Since 1969, over 85,000 students have earned more than 99,000 degrees and certificates.
  • Many local students choose CLC. In 2024, 18% of students from nearby high schools came to CLC right after graduation.
  • Our students succeed. In 2024, more than 3,600 graduates earned over 4,100 degrees and certificates — even more than the year before.

Source: CLC Community Impact Report 2025

Accreditation

CLC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and other program agencies.

    A top 200 community college

    The Aspen Institute named CLC as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the top prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.

    Leader College of Distinction

    CLC was named a Leader College of Distinction in 2025 by the nationally recognized Achieving the Dream network.

    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

    Students thrive here

    • 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
    • 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 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
    • photo of Nestor Munoz on the catwalk in the theater

      Nestor Munoz

      Student

      “It’s the most fun I've ever had in any job. You get to really understand what goes into a production at a play or a concert.”

      At CLC, Nestor studies Live Entertainment Production, which offers hands-on industry experience. He was one of eight chosen from 4,800 applicants for a prestigious training program with Cirque de Soleil in Las Vegas.

      Read Nestor's story

      photo of Nestor Munoz on the catwalk in the theater
    • 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
    • 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
    • Thais O'Malley

      Thais O'Malley

      Graduate

      “The quality of the program helped prepare me for the real world. I got my job right after graduation. I thanked my teachers because they prepared me so well.”

      Thais studied Digital Media and Design at CLC. She now works as a graphic designer and social media specialist for the City of Lake Forest.

      Read Thais' story

      Thais O'Malley
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    Start at CLC this summer

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

    Fall semester classes start Monday, Aug. 17

    Complete the request information form

    Helping students find their purpose

    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