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City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
Chicago, Illinois · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 6301 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60621 · Phone: (773) 602-5000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College is a public trade school in Chicago, Illinois offering culinary, construction trades, and HVAC programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Kennedy-King College has a 31.4% completion rate versus a 58.4% state average, with median graduate debt of $6,180 and median earnings of $28,467 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Kennedy-King College; federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here, and about 38.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $40,330 | $58,830 | $73,620 |
| Construction laborers | $38,880 | $60,690 | $95,240 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $46,690 | $77,410 | $96,030 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $72,820 | $108,120 | $126,440 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $50,250 | $99,950 | $120,050 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,190 | $49,170 | $73,640 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,890 | $51,320 | $61,520 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 50 | not reported | not reported | $5,250 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 30 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 23 | not reported | not reported | $5,250 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 17 | $20,684 | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 17 | $63,469 | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | $63,469 | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 14 | $20,684 | not reported | not reported |
| Mason/Masonry | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | $5,250 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | $5,250 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College is a public trade and career campus located in Chicago, Illinois. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and, for its nursing offerings, by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and it is accredited status is listed as accredited. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used at this school. Among its 20 program families, the campus awards the most credentials in culinary and pastry programs (118), construction trades programs (49), and HVAC programs (39), alongside other offerings such as welding, plumbing, auto mechanics, and lineman training.
Federal data show a completion rate of 31.4%, which is below the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,180, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $28,467. About 38.2% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 310 trade completers among 1,777 undergraduates in a large-city setting, this campus appears to serve students pursuing shorter, hands-on trade credentials rather than long associate degree tracks, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Whether this fits an adult career-changer depends on program format and schedule, which should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and by contacting the school directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Kennedy-King College offers 20 program families, with the most completers in culinary and pastry programs, construction trades programs, and HVAC programs, plus welding, plumbing, auto mechanics, and lineman training.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 31.4%, which is below the Illinois state average of 58.4%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is reported at $6,180.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $28,467.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state as well as federal aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school at (773) 602-5000 or visit its website to confirm program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and review federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at the school's scorecard page.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data shows a mix of shorter trade credentials and larger program offerings in a large-city setting, but specific fit for adult career-changers is not detailed in federal data; contact the school to discuss scheduling and format.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Kennedy-King College at (773) 602-5000 or through its website at https://www.ccc.edu/colleges/kennedy/pages/default.aspx.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This is not reported in the data provided; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across nearby schools.
Other trade and career schools in Chicago, IL
- City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeChicago, IL · 18% completion
- HVAC Technical InstituteChicago, IL · 86% completion
- National Louis UniversityChicago, IL · university
- City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeChicago, IL · 32% completion
- City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey CollegeChicago, IL · 21% completion
- St. Augustine CollegeChicago, IL · college
- Roosevelt UniversityChicago, IL · university
- The French Pastry SchoolChicago, IL · career school
See all trade and career schools in Illinois or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.