Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Ina, Illinois
Rend Lake College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,638Annual Cost
$35,775Grad Salary
31%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$7,309
Need-Based Aid
31% receive Pell
Rend Lake College, founded in 1967 in Illinois, offers programs in agriculture, healthcare, and industrial technology. The campus includes a conservation area.
RLC is unranked but serves as an educational anchor for southern Illinois. Its rural location supports both agricultural and technical education.
Rend Lake College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Rend Lake College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Rend Lake College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Rend Lake College 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
Rend Lake College 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 (March 1, 2026) 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 Rend Lake College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Rend Lake College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Rend Lake College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Rend Lake College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Rend Lake College Without SAT or ACT?
Rend Lake College'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 Rend Lake College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Rend Lake College's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Use the CAREER Agreement for In-District Rates on Unique Programs
Illinois students from anywhere in the state are eligible for Rend Lake's in-district tuition rate if their home community college doesn't offer the same career program (Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Truck Driver Training, Coal Mining Training). Confirm CAREER Agreement eligibility before assuming full out-of-district rates apply.
Target the On-Campus Coal Mining Training Center
This dedicated facility reflects Rend Lake's location in Southern Illinois' coal region. Ask specifically about current industry partnerships and job placement outcomes, since regional demand may have shifted as the broader energy sector changes.
Use Raise A Warrior for Early, Points-Based Scholarship Building
This microscholarship program lets in-district students in grades 3-12 earn up to $2,000 toward future RLC enrollment by tracking points for activities like honor roll, sports, and community service. Families with younger children in the district should start tracking as early as possible, since the amount compounds over many years.
Consider the Correctional Facility Satellite Programs' Distinct Context
Rend Lake operates two satellite programs at Illinois Department of Corrections facilities under contract, closed to the public. Students interested in criminal justice, social work, or justice-focused education should ask specifically about any related coursework, research, or volunteer opportunities tied to this program.
Expert Insight:
Rend Lake's viticulture and other specialized agricultural programs are tied to Southern Illinois' specific regional growing conditions and industry connections. Confirm current industry partnerships and job placement outcomes for these niche programs directly with the department, since specialized regional programs can shift faster than more general majors.
Rend Lake College Profile
Full Name
Rend Lake College
City
Ina
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
62846
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Rend Lake College Degree Worth It?
Whether Rend Lake College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $44,400, and graduates see a 3.64% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Rend Lake College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $14,638/year at Rend Lake College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $7,309.
At Rend Lake College, 31% receive a Pell Grant and % carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Rend Lake College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Rend Lake College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Rend Lake College graduates report a median income of $35,775, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Rend Lake College
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Rend Lake College Admissions
Rend Lake College graduates earn a lower median salary of $35,775/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Rend Lake College is relatively affordable, around $14,638/year.
31.0% of Rend Lake College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Rend Lake College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before March 1, 2026 — that's Rend Lake College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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