Career Training Path › Illinois › McHenry County College
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012 · Phone: (815) 455-3700 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Aug 2025 · Warning or Equivalent-Factors Affecting Academic Quality · American Occupational Therapy Association; Dec 2025 · Renewal of Accreditation.
McHenry County College is a public trade and career school in Crystal Lake, Illinois offering CNA classes, EMT & paramedic training, and welding, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, McHenry County College's completion rate is 36.8%, below the Illinois state average of 58.4%; median graduate debt is $6,260 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,143.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for McHenry County College; the school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 11.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $37,590 | $45,960 | $48,380 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $36,420 | $42,260 | $49,640 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,890 | $51,320 | $61,520 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,190 | $49,170 | $73,640 |
| Medical assistants | $36,400 | $46,090 | $49,460 |
| Medical records specialists | $38,890 | $56,440 | $64,360 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $40,330 | $58,830 | $73,620 |
| Machinists | $38,390 | $58,520 | $65,620 |
| Construction laborers | $38,880 | $60,690 | $95,240 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 213 | $17,711 | $19,227 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 49 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 41 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | $47,260 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | $47,260 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 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
McHenry County College is a public community college located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning students may use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for eligible programs. The college holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Its most-completed trade and career programs are CNA classes, EMT & paramedic training, and welding schools, among 15 program families offered including auto mechanic, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, culinary, CNC machining, and construction trades.
According to federal data, the college's overall completion rate is 36.8%, below the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,260, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,143. About 11.3% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 385 trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 4,691, and a locale described as fringe rural, this campus may suit students seeking shorter, credential-focused trade programs such as CNA or EMT training rather than longer associate-degree pathways, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Prospective students, including career changers, should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard and confirm program details with the school before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
McHenry County College offers 15 program families, with the most completions in CNA classes, EMT & paramedic training, and welding schools. Other offerings include auto mechanic, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, culinary, CNC machining, and construction trades programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It also holds program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, among others.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, McHenry County College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students may use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants where eligible.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 36.8%, 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 for graduates is $6,260, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,143, per the College Scorecard.
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?
McHenry County College is a public institution, which typically means lower published tuition for in-state residents compared to for-profit schools, though this is not independently verified here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the data provided; contact the school at (815) 455-3700 or visit its website for details on specific 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 College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?147004.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not directly address career-changer fit, but programs like CNA and EMT training are typically shorter credential programs; confirm scheduling and format with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to learn what credentials follow specific programs.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach McHenry County College at (815) 455-3700 or through its website, https://www.mchenry.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Crystal Lake, IL
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- Eagle Training ServicesCrystal Lake, IL
- College of Lake CountyGrayslake, IL · 37% completion
- William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine, IL · 48% completion
- Oakton CollegeDes Plaines, IL · 37% completion
- State Career CollegeGurnee, IL · 74% completion
- Chicago Professional CenterProspect Heights, 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.