Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Chicago Heights, Illinois
Prairie State College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$13,813Annual Cost
$36,696Grad Salary
35.6%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$5,280
Need-Based Aid
35.6% receive Pell
Prairie State College, founded in 1958, is a public community college in Chicago Heights, Illinois. It offers programs in criminal justice, health sciences, and logistics. The campus includes a police training academy and a healthcare simulation center.
PSC is unranked but serves Chicago's south suburbs with affordable career pathways. Its location near major highways supports transportation and public safety careers.
Prairie State College Acceptance Rate
Prairie State 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 Prairie State College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Prairie State 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.
Prairie State 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 Prairie State College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Prairie State 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 Prairie State College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Prairie State College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Confirm District Residency Eligibility Before a Student Sets Their Heart on Surgical Technology
PSC's Surgical Technology program restricts initial eligibility to residents living within PSC's own community college district or the districts of a specific eight-college consortium (Moraine Valley, South Suburban, Kankakee, Joliet, Morton, Illinois Valley, Heartland, Richland); Chicago city residents must instead go through Chicago City Colleges. This geographic gate is easy to miss since it isn't obvious from general PSC admissions messaging - verify a student's home address against the district map before building a surgical tech plan around PSC specifically, since an ineligible address means the application won't even be considered regardless of qualifications.
Take the HESI A2 Exam On-Campus at PSC Specifically - Scores From Other Colleges Are Not Accepted
For healthcare program applicants (Surgical Technology and similar selective-admission tracks), PSC requires the HESI A2 readiness exam to be taken physically on the PSC campus for ranking purposes - a HESI score from another institution, even a strong one, will not be accepted. Students should be told explicitly not to take this exam elsewhere assuming portability; they must wait for PSC's invitation email (triggered after submitting an intent form) and test on PSC's own testing dates.
Treat Nursing and Dental Hygiene as PSC's Genuine Academic Differentiators, Not Just Popular Majors
Student reviews and program data consistently single out PSC's Nursing and Dental Hygiene programs as ranked among the strongest in Illinois for a community college, with real clinical placement quality and instructors bringing direct field experience - this is a specific, checkable differentiator (not generic "great programs" language) worth citing explicitly in any application, interview, or scholarship essay tied to these two programs.
Don't Wait for Official Transcripts to Enroll - But Submit Them Before End of First Semester or Risk Financial Aid Disruption
PSC does not require official high school transcripts for initial enrollment, which lets students start classes quickly - but financial aid eligibility specifically requires official transcripts showing secondary school completion, and the college recommends submission by the end of the first semester. Students relying on aid should be advised this isn't optional despite the flexible enrollment policy - treat the transcript submission as a financial-aid deadline even though it isn't an admissions deadline.
Expert Insight:
Because PSC has open, 100% general admission and doesn't strictly require transcripts to start classes, students sometimes delay submitting required documentation - but selective-admission programs like Surgical Technology and Dental Hygiene have hard external deadlines (e.g., Dental Hygiene applications due by February 1) and district-residency eligibility rules that operate independently of general enrollment, and missing these specific requirements can silently disqualify an otherwise-motivated applicant from their target program for a full year.
Prairie State College Profile
Full Name
Prairie State College
City
Chicago Heights
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60411-8226
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Prairie State College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Prairie State 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. Prairie State 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 Prairie State College is $67,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.68%.
How much does a degree from Prairie State College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Prairie State College is $13,813. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Prairie State College is $5,280.
35.6% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 7.5 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Prairie State College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Prairie State College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Prairie State College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Prairie State College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $36,696. An average Prairie State 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 Prairie State College
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Prairie State College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Prairie State College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $36,696 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $13,813 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
35.6% 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.