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Richland Community College
Decatur, Illinois · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: One College Park, Decatur, IL 62521 · Phone: (217) 875-7200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Richland Community College is a public trade and career school in Decatur, Illinois, offering CNA classes, auto mechanic training, and culinary programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Richland Community College has a 60.3% completion rate, near the Illinois state average of 58.4%, with graduates carrying a median debt of $8,256 and earning a median of $38,793 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Richland Community College participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 32.7% of its 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 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,190 | $49,170 | $73,640 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $40,330 | $58,830 | $73,620 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $39,710 | $60,320 | $75,600 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $46,690 | $77,410 | $96,030 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $44,760 | $64,340 | $80,640 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $36,420 | $42,260 | $49,640 |
| Phlebotomists | $37,370 | $46,010 | $49,720 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,890 | $51,320 | $61,520 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $58,880 | $75,000 | $79,560 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $59,350 | $79,930 | $97,950 |
| Surgical technologists | $48,560 | $64,650 | $77,670 |
| Machinists | $38,390 | $58,520 | $65,620 |
| Medical assistants | $36,400 | $46,090 | $49,460 |
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 | 127 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, under 300 hours | 38 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, under 300 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $46,174 | $43,957 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, under 300 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 8 | $46,174 | $43,957 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, under 300 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | $20,373 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | $20,373 | 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
Richland Community College is a public trade and career training campus in Decatur, Illinois. The school participates in federal Title IV student aid programs, so students may use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for eligible programs. It holds accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Its most-completed trade programs are CNA classes, auto mechanic training, and culinary & pastry arts, part of a broader list of 29 program families that also includes welding, HVAC, CDL training, and medical assistant programs.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 60.3%, close to the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates carry a median debt of $8,256, and median earnings ten years after entry are $38,793. Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 32.7% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income enrollees among the 1,346 undergraduates and 390 trade program completers.
This campus, located in a small city setting, may suit students seeking shorter certificate-style trade programs (like CNA or welding) as well as those pursuing longer associate-level allied health tracks such as radiologic technology or surgical technology. Whether it fits an adult career-changer depends on individual program length and schedule, which are not detailed here. Prospective students should verify accreditation status and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most current outcome figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Richland Community College offers 29 program families, most notably CNA classes, auto mechanic schools, and culinary & pastry schools. Other offerings include welding, HVAC, CDL training, phlebotomy, and medical assistant programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. It holds institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and 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 financial aid programs, meaning students may apply for FAFSA-based aid, loans, and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 60.3%, which is near the Illinois state average of 58.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $8,256, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $38,793, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (217) 875-7200 or visit richland.edu for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Richland Community College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for in-state residents compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to ask about specific program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review accreditation details and outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?148292, or check the accreditors listed directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program schedules or format details needed to assess fit for adult career-changers; contact the school to discuss options like CNA classes or auto mechanic training.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not detailed in this data; contact the school or check with the relevant program accreditor (such as the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology) for specifics.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Richland Community College at (217) 875-7200 or visit https://www.richland.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported here; the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?148292 can be used to compare outcomes across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Illinois
- Reflections Academy of BeautyDecatur, IL · 50% completion
- City of TaylorvilleTaylorville, IL
- Pawnee CUSD #11Pawnee, IL
- College of Lake CountyGrayslake, IL · 37% completion
- Moraine Valley Community CollegePalos Hills, IL · 40% completion
- College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL · 25% completion
- William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine, IL · 48% completion
- Lincoln Land Community CollegeSpringfield, IL · 48% 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.