Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
2.9Avg GPA
$12,209Annual Cost
$38,767Grad Salary
37.1%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
2.9
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$5,190
Need-Based Aid
37.1% receive Pell
Kankakee Community College, founded in 1966, is a public community college in Illinois. It offers programs in agriculture, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. The campus includes a farm and a STEM center.
KCC is unranked but serves a rural-urban mix with affordable career pathways. Its location near Chicago provides internship opportunities.
Kankakee Community College Acceptance Rate
Kankakee Community 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.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.90 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.70 – 2.89
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.45
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Kankakee Community College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Kankakee Community College is 2.9. This suggests moderate selectivity.
A mix of A's, B's, and some C's is common. Higher SAT/ACT scores can compensate for a lower GPA.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.10-3.30 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.60 and 2.9, aim for a strong standardized test score.
Kankakee Community College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Kankakee Community College utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 2.9, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.90 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.70 – 2.89
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.50 – 2.69
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.49
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- KCC uses a competitive-entry (not simple GPA cutoff) admission model for most health career programs, requiring advisor clearance before scheduling the HESI A2 exam.
- HESI A2 comprehensive score minimums differ by program: 75%+ for RN and RN Option 1 (advanced placement), 70%+ for all other competitive-entry health programs.
- RN and RN Advanced Placement applicants get two HESI attempts per full application cycle (Spring and Fall); other programs get two attempts per single testing cycle.
- CPR/BLS certification (American Heart Association or American Red Cross) is required at registration for EMT-Basic, Paramedic, PTA, Practical Nursing, Radiography, Registered Nursing, and Respiratory Therapist programs.
- The Rigor Metric: At Kankakee Community College, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Kankakee Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Kankakee Community 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.
Kankakee Community 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 Kankakee Community College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Kankakee Community 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 Kankakee Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Kankakee Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Complete every non-major prerequisite course you can before applying - it's the actual tiebreaker
When multiple KCC health-career applicants have identical HESI A2 scores, admission is decided first by whoever has completed the greatest number of general-education/non-program courses (courses without a MEDT, PMED, PHTA, PNUR, RESP, RNUR, or XRAY prefix) - not by a slightly higher test score. Front-load your general education requirements (English, math, psychology, etc.) before you apply to a competitive health program, since this coursework-completion tiebreaker can outweigh small differences in your entrance exam score.
Target 75% specifically if you're aiming for RN or RN Option 1 - other programs only need 70%
KCC sets a higher HESI A2 comprehensive score threshold (75%) for Registered Nursing and RN Option 1 (its advanced-placement RN pathway) than for its other competitive-entry health programs (70%). If you're unsure between a standard health-careers track and the RN track, know upfront that RN pathways demand a materially higher entrance score, and prepare accordingly rather than assuming one HESI score threshold applies campus-wide.
Use your two allowed HESI attempts strategically if you're applying to RN or RN Advanced Placement
Most KCC health-career applicants get two HESI A2 attempts per testing cycle, but RN and RN Advanced Placement applicants specifically get two attempts per application cycle (spanning both Spring and Fall semesters) - a longer runway than other programs. If your first RN-track attempt falls short, you have more room to retest before the ranking is finalized than you might assume from the general two-attempts-per-cycle rule.
Clear your health-careers advisor gate before you schedule the HESI at all
KCC requires applicants to receive clearance from a health-career advisor before they're even allowed to schedule the HESI A2 exam - this is a mandatory checkpoint, not a suggestion. Book your advising appointment (815-802-8500) well ahead of your intended testing window, since skipping this step means you can't test at all regardless of your academic readiness.
Expert Insight:
A frequent and avoidable mistake is assuming the HESI A2 score alone determines your ranking - KCC's actual tie-break sequence starts with coursework completion (non-major prerequisites), then HESI science score, then HESI reading score, so two applicants with the same HESI score but different amounts of completed general education can be ranked very differently, and students who focus solely on exam prep while delaying gen-ed courses can lose ranking position they didn't know was in play.
Kankakee Community College Profile
Full Name
Kankakee Community College
City
Kankakee
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60901
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Kankakee Community College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Kankakee Community 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. Kankakee Community 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 Kankakee Community College is $56,100 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.06%.
How much does a degree from Kankakee Community College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Kankakee Community College is $12,209. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Kankakee Community College is $5,190.
37.1% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 4.9 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Kankakee Community College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Kankakee Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Kankakee Community College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Kankakee Community College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $38,767. An average Kankakee Community 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 Kankakee Community College
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Kankakee Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Kankakee Community College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $38,767 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $12,209 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
37.1% 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.
The average GPA of admitted students is 2.9. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.6, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.6, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.5 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 2.9, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
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.