Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Chicago, Illinois
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$9,543Annual Cost
$37,962Grad Salary
21.7%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$3,166
Need-Based Aid
21.7% receive Pell
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J. Daley College, established in 1960, is a public community college serving Chicago's Southwest Side. It offers programs in criminal justice, engineering, and bilingual education. The campus includes a STEM center and a state-of-the-art library.
Daley College is unranked but pivotal for urban workforce development. Its location near Midway Airport provides logistics and public safety training opportunities.
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Acceptance Rate
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley 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.
Check Your Admission Chances at City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley 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-Richard J Daley 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-Richard J Daley College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley 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-Richard J Daley College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Know that nursing is centralized at Malcolm X College, not run independently at Daley - apply through the citywide CCCSON system, not a Daley-specific office
The City Colleges of Chicago School of Nursing (CCCSON) operates as a single, centralized program housed at Malcolm X College, requiring all ATI TEAS testing to be completed in person specifically at the Malcolm X campus regardless of which City Colleges campus you're otherwise enrolled at. If you're a Daley student pursuing nursing, direct your nursing-specific questions and TEAS scheduling to the Malcolm X Nursing Office rather than Daley's general admissions office, since Daley itself does not run a separate nursing admission process.
Apply for the Star Scholarship if you're a Chicago Public Schools graduate with a 3.0 GPA - this covers tuition and books at no cost across the entire City Colleges system, including Daley
Chicago's STAR Scholarship provides free tuition and books for CPS graduates with a 3.0 GPA who test completion-ready in Math and English on the CCC placement test, plus options to help fund up to $50,000 per year toward a bachelor's degree after completing the associate degree. If you graduated from a Chicago Public School with this GPA, apply for STAR before assuming you need to pay standard tuition at Daley, since this is a genuinely free, structured pathway distinct from federal financial aid.
Meet the exact TEAS cutoffs for your specific nursing track - AAS Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing use different thresholds entirely
CCCSON requires a minimum 65% cumulative / 73% reading TEAS score for the AAS Degree Nursing Program, but only 60% cumulative / 70% reading for the Practical Nursing program - these are not interchangeable, and confusing the two could mean underpreparing for your actual target track. Confirm which specific numeric threshold applies to your intended nursing credential (AAS vs. PN) before treating any single "TEAS cutoff" as universal across both tracks.
Use the One Million Degrees (OMD) scholar program for wraparound academic and financial coaching if you're Pell-eligible at Daley - but know it requires a separate application at your specific campus
Daley College is one of several City Colleges campuses where OMD requires a distinct application (unlike Malcolm X, Olive-Harvey, or Harold Washington, where eligible students are automatically opted in), and OMD functions as a "last-dollar" scholarship rather than covering full tuition. If you're Pell-eligible and attending Daley, actively apply to OMD rather than assuming automatic enrollment, since Daley is explicitly listed among the campuses requiring a proactive application step.
Expert Insight:
Because Daley College itself has fully open admission, applicants sometimes assume nursing at "City Colleges of Chicago" works the same way regardless of which specific campus they enroll at. It does not - nursing is centralized at Malcolm X College with its own dedicated admissions cycle (e.g., Spring 2027 applications opening August 31, 2026, and closing November 9, 2026), meaning Daley students pursuing nursing are effectively applying to a different campus's program with its own separate deadlines, testing location, and TEAS thresholds distinct from general Daley enrollment.
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Profile
Full Name
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
City
Chicago
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60652-1299
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Degree Worth It?
Getting into City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley 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-Richard J Daley 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-Richard J Daley College is $51,100 and the graduate unemployment rate is 7.41%.
How much does a degree from City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College is $9,543. 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-Richard J Daley College is $3,166.
21.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 0.2 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley 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-Richard J Daley College as your choice in the form.
How much does a City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $37,962. An average City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley 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-Richard J Daley College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College →
Frequently Asked Questions About City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $37,962 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $9,543 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
21.7% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
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.