Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Chicago, Illinois
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$11,382Annual Cost
$28,467Grad Salary
37.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$4,902
Need-Based Aid
37.8% receive Pell
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, founded in 1935, offers programs in culinary arts, healthcare, and public safety. The campus includes professional-grade kitchens.
KKC is unranked but renowned for its culinary program. Its urban location provides access to Chicago's world-class restaurant and hospitality industry.
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Acceptance Rate
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Use the Washburne Institute's real, operating restaurants as your practical audition
Kennedy-King's Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute doesn't just teach in kitchens - students staff actual public-facing restaurants (Parrot Cage, Sikia, the seasonal Washburne Caf? at Buckingham Fountain) as part of training. Treat your time in these operations as a real professional reference-builder: the chefs and managers overseeing these restaurants become genuine industry contacts and reference-writers, not just instructors grading a class project.
If construction trades interest you, apply through Dawson Technical Institute specifically
Dawson Technical Institute, affiliated with Kennedy-King but located separately at 3901 S. State, offers direct pipelines into companies like ComEd and Peoples Gas and major trade unions. If you're interested in construction technology or a trades apprenticeship, apply and inquire about Dawson specifically rather than the general Kennedy-King application, since it operates as its own targeted workforce program with distinct employer relationships.
Leverage KKC's designation as CCC's culinary/hospitality hub for College to Careers employer partnerships
Kennedy-King is officially designated as the City Colleges of Chicago's hub for culinary and hospitality education under the College to Careers initiative, which pairs curriculum redesign directly with industry partners. Ask your program advisor specifically which employer partnerships are active this term - these connections are curated by the college precisely to funnel students into local hospitality and culinary jobs, and they change as partnerships evolve.
Use the affiliated French Pastry School connection if pastry is your specific interest
Kennedy-King's affiliation with the French Pastry School gives students interested specifically in pastry and baking arts a more specialized track than the general culinary program. If baking/pastry is your specific goal rather than broad culinary arts, ask your advisor about this affiliated pathway directly, since it isn't the default option within Washburne's broader curriculum.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes think of Kennedy-King's culinary program as classroom-based training like any other community college program - but because students actually staff real, publicly-operating restaurants and caf?s as part of coursework, performance in these roles functions as ongoing professional evaluation, not a one-time practical exam. Treating service shifts casually, rather than as an extension of professional reputation-building, undersells the program's real value.
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Profile
Full Name
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
City
Chicago
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60621-2709
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Degree Worth It?
Getting into City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College is $44,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 8.73%.
How much does a degree from City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College is $11,382. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College is $4,902.
37.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 3 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College as your choice in the form.
How much does a City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $28,467. An average City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College →
Frequently Asked Questions About City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $28,467 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $11,382 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
37.8% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.