Academics
Despite its classification as a community college, Oakton offers an extensive selection of academic opportunities for any individual in search of higher education. Individuals take courses for any number of reasons such as for a degree, career advancement, skill development, higher pay, the enjoyment of learning, and much more.
Program participants have access to over 2,500 courses in 80 areas of study. All types of education are available including associate degrees, certificates, and non-credit courses. Some of the most popular areas of study include health, science, technology, business, and liberal arts. Three primary education divisions exist at Oakton: business and career technologies, liberal arts and STEM, and career technologies. Honors programs are also available, and several dedicated centers exist for greater educational opportunities.
Many individuals choose to pursue certificates and non-credit courses. In total, 1,500 courses are offered in continuing education in a number of areas such as accounting, landscape painting, video production, and computers. There are also special areas of study and dual credit courses. In addition to the two primary campuses, Oakton has roughly 240 off-site locations spread throughout the Chicago metro to make higher education more accessible to all and students can select from over 90 online courses for even greater flexibility and convenience.
At Oakton, the graduation rates are 20% within four years and 24% within six years, with a more-than-solid retention rate of 76%. The low graduation rates are in direct correlation to a large number of people in pursuit of non-credit courses, transfer students, and career development programs.
