Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Grayslake, Illinois
College of Lake County — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$10,969Annual Cost
$43,424Grad Salary
23.7%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,212
Need-Based Aid
23.7% receive Pell
College of Lake County serves Illinois' North Shore with three campuses and strong STEM programs. Founded in 1967, CLC features the state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Building.
The college's Lakeshore Campus houses advanced manufacturing labs, while its Southlake Education Center serves the healthcare sector. CLC's 'One Million Degrees' program supports low-income students.
College of Lake County Acceptance Rate
College of Lake County runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
College of Lake County Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
College of Lake County 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
College of Lake County 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Foundation scholarship priority: 2026/03/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum 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 College of Lake County
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on College of Lake County's verified institutional data
--%
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 Lake County Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if College of Lake County is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into College of Lake County Without SAT or ACT?
College of Lake County's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for College of Lake County
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
College of Lake County provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Skip the "essay-polishing" mindset entirely
CLC has no admissions essay and no selective admission process - the application form itself takes under 15 minutes. Redirect all the energy a student would spend on personal statements toward the placement-score thresholds instead: SAT EBRW 470+/Math 530+ or ACT Reading 17+/English 17+/Math 22+ exempts a student from the English Directed Self Placement and ALEKS Math Placement tests, which otherwise add weeks to enrollment.
Treat the College and Career Navigator meeting as the real admissions interview
Every new student is required to meet with a CCN before registering for classes - this is where program selection, transfer goals, and first-semester scheduling actually get decided. Have the student arrive with a tentative transfer target school and major already in mind, since the CCN builds the schedule around it from day one.
Pick the transfer track before the first semester, not after
CLC's Guaranteed Transfer Admission (GTA) agreements - including with the University of Illinois System, Illinois State, Lake Forest College, Elmhurst, Marquette, and UW-Parkside - pre-admit students who hit specific GPA and credit benchmarks. The GTA only works if the student declares an A.A. or A.S. (not A.A.S.) track aligned with IAI general education requirements from the start.
Use CLC's HSI designation and free application as the financial entry point
As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution with zero application cost and in-district tuition near $11K/year, CLC is often the lowest-debt on-ramp to a four-year degree in the region. Have the student run the FAFSA early (CLC's federal school code is 007694) since CCNs use financial aid status to help shape course load recommendations.
Expert Insight:
The most common failure pattern here isn't admissions rejection - it's credit waste. Students who pick an A.A.S. (career/technical) degree thinking it's interchangeable with an A.A. or A.S. often discover late that A.A.S. credits don't carry the same automatic transfer protection under Illinois Articulation Initiative agreements, costing them a semester or more at the four-year school.
College of Lake County Profile
Full Name
College of Lake County
City
Grayslake
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60030-1198
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a College of Lake County Degree Worth It?
College of Lake County offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $78,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.64%.
How much does a degree from College of Lake County Cost?
The sticker price is $10,969/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $6,212.
23.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 1.9% take federal loans at College of Lake County — file your FAFSA early and list College of Lake County as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a College of Lake County Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $43,424 — about 7% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at College of Lake County
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About College of Lake County Admissions
Median earnings for College of Lake County graduates sit around $43,424 a year.
At about $10,969 a year, College of Lake County is on the more affordable end.
College of Lake County's Pell Grant rate of 23.7% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
College of Lake County follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Foundation scholarship priority: 2026/03/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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