Career Training Path › Illinois › Rend Lake College
Rend Lake College
Ina, Illinois · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 468 N Ken Gray Pkwy, Ina, IL 62846 · Phone: (618) 437-5321 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Rend Lake College is a public trade school in Ina, Illinois offering welding, CNA, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Rend Lake College has a 63.4% completion rate, above the Illinois average of 58.4%, with median graduate debt of $5,809 and median earnings of $35,775 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Rend Lake College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, is available, and about 30.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,890 | $51,320 | $61,520 |
| Nursing assistants | $37,590 | $45,960 | $48,380 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,190 | $49,170 | $73,640 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $58,880 | $75,000 | $79,560 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $39,710 | $60,320 | $75,600 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $36,420 | $42,260 | $49,640 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $59,350 | $79,930 | $97,950 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $44,760 | $64,340 | $80,640 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $40,330 | $58,830 | $73,620 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $31,200 | $34,040 | $41,110 |
| Medical records specialists | $38,890 | $56,440 | $64,360 |
| Skincare specialists | $31,200 | $45,330 | $47,360 |
| Phlebotomists | $37,370 | $46,010 | $49,720 |
| Medical assistants | $36,400 | $46,090 | $49,460 |
| Barbers | $31,460 | $65,430 | $71,930 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $36,550 | $46,650 | $49,150 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $31,200 | $37,050 | $46,410 |
| Machinists | $38,390 | $58,520 | $65,620 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 152 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 116 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, under 300 hours | 70 | not reported | $16,663 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 31 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, under 300 hours | 28 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 22 | not reported | $41,937 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | $16,663 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | $20,140 | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | $16,663 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | $16,663 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | $20,140 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | $41,937 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | 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
Rend Lake College is a public trade and career school in Ina, Illinois. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here because the school participates in Title IV programs. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its radiologic technology program additionally accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Among its 29 programs, the largest completer counts are in welding schools (160), CNA classes (116), and auto mechanic schools (90).
Federal data show a completion rate of 63.4%, which is above the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $5,809, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $35,775. About 30.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income enrollment. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 1,175 undergraduates and 602 trade program completers, Rend Lake College serves a distant rural community and offers a mix of short career-training certificates and longer programs across fields like welding, healthcare support, and automotive repair. The variety of program lengths may suit both first-time students and adult career changers, though specific schedules and program durations are not detailed here. Prospective students should confirm accreditation status and review current outcome data directly through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and contact the school for program-specific details.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Rend Lake College offers 29 programs across families including welding, CNA classes, auto mechanic, LPN, CDL training, radiology tech, and cosmetology. The top programs by completers are welding schools (160), CNA classes (116), and auto mechanic schools (90).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Rend Lake College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its radiologic technology program is additionally accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants. About 30.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 63.4%, which is above the Illinois state average of 58.4%, according to federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $5,809, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $35,775.
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?
Rend Lake College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition and eligibility for state funding compared with private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school at (618) 437-5321 or visit rlc.edu for program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?148256.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school offers a range of shorter certificate programs alongside longer degree programs, which may suit adults changing careers, though exact schedules are not detailed in this data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Rend Lake College at (618) 437-5321 or through its website, https://www.rlc.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; check the College Scorecard for side-by-side comparisons.
Nearby trade and career schools in Illinois
- Kaskaskia CollegeCentralia, IL · 49% completion
- Frontier Community CollegeFairfield, IL · community college
- Wabash Valley CollegeMount Carmel, IL · community college
- Kieffer Construction Co IncMount Carmel, IL
- Southeastern Illinois collegecarmi, IL
- DeVry University-IllinoisLisle, IL · university
- College of Lake CountyGrayslake, IL · 37% completion
- Moraine Valley Community CollegePalos Hills, IL · 40% completion
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.