Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
College of DuPage — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$13,314Annual Cost
$46,909Grad Salary
20.5%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,182
Need-Based Aid
20.5% receive Pell
College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the state's largest community college with over 25,000 students. COD's Homeland Security Education Center offers specialized training in emergency preparedness and criminal justice.
The 273-acre campus features the McAninch Arts Center and the innovative Technical Education Center. COD's 'Promise' program covers tuition for eligible district high school graduates.
College of DuPage Acceptance Rate
College of DuPage (COD) 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 COD
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on College of DuPage'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.
College of DuPage (COD) 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 COD Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for College of DuPage 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 COD
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
COD provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
For a bachelor's degree, decide between a 3+1 (on-campus partner faculty) and a standard 2+2 transfer before building a course plan - they have different cost and logistics structures
COD's 3+1 programs let a student take three years of coursework at COD (with some classes taught directly by partner-university faculty on COD's own campus) before transferring for a discounted final year - a structurally different, often cheaper option than the conventional 2+2 model of two years at COD followed by two years at the four-year school. A student should ask Transfer Services specifically which model applies to their target major and university, since the two structures have different on-campus experiences and cost-reduction mechanics.
If targeting Illinois Tech, use the guaranteed-admission Pathway's concurrent "gateway courses" to start building Illinois Tech credit while still at COD
Illinois Tech's guaranteed admission agreement with COD lets eligible students take Illinois Tech "gateway" courses at a 10%-of-tuition discounted rate while still enrolled at COD, plus a guaranteed $25,000 transfer scholarship upon admission - but qualifying requires meeting specific GPA thresholds (3.0 cumulative, 2.8 technical GPA in math/science/major coursework) and enrolling in the COD Pathway at least one year before transfer with regular advisor check-ins. A student should enroll in the COD Pathway and start the advisor relationship a full year ahead of their planned transfer, not in their final semester, since the program's benefits are tied to that lead time.
For nursing applicants, treat the external health-insurance enrollment deadline as a real, non-academic admission risk
COD's ADN program explicitly flags that obtaining personal health insurance is required to participate in the program (though not technically an application requirement) and ties this to outside open-enrollment deadlines (e.g., a Jan. 15 cutoff for coverage starting Feb. 1) that have nothing to do with COD's own application timeline - missing the external insurance enrollment window can take months to resolve and may block program start regardless of academic admission. A nursing-bound student should research and purchase qualifying health insurance well before acceptance, not after.
For Honors courses, use the professor e-permit option if GPA alone doesn't clear the bar
While Honors section enrollment is normally GPA-gated, College of DuPage explicitly allows a professor to issue an e-permit override for a student the professor believes can handle Honors-level work, even if that student doesn't meet the GPA cutoff - but the student must appeal to the professor directly rather than going through an institutional process. A borderline student genuinely interested in a specific Honors course should reach out to that course's instructor directly rather than assuming GPA alone determines eligibility.
Expert Insight:
COD's near-100% general acceptance rate can obscure how differently its competitive programs operate - nursing, in particular, layers academic admission requirements together with an external, time-sensitive personal health-insurance enrollment window that COD doesn't control and can't expedite. A family focused only on COD's own application checklist can miss this externally-imposed deadline entirely and jeopardize program start even after academic acceptance.
COD Profile
Full Name
College of DuPage (COD)
City
Glen Ellyn
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60137-6599
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a COD Degree Worth It?
Getting into COD 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. COD 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 COD is $87,900 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.85%.
How much does a degree from COD Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at College of DuPage is $13,314. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at College of DuPage is $6,182.
20.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 8.7 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to COD and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At College of DuPage, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist COD as your choice in the form.
How much does a COD Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $46,909. An average COD 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 COD
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by College of DuPage →
Frequently Asked Questions About COD Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $46,909 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $13,314 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
20.5% 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.