College of DuPage vs Illinois Central College
CERT programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.
At a glance
Side-by-side details
Best value in each row is highlighted.
| College of DuPage Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Illinois Central College Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | |
|---|---|---|
| Program type | CERT | CERT |
| Format | in person | in person |
| Location | Glen Ellyn, IL | East Peoria, IL |
| Length | 12 months | 12 months |
| NCLEX pass rate | 100%BEST | 87% |
| Acceptance rate | — | — |
| Avg accepted GPA | — | — |
| Min GPA | — | — |
| Entrance exam | — | — |
| Total tuition | $4,320 in / $12,510 outBEST | $4,650 in / $11,700 out |
| In-state tuition | $4,320BEST | $4,650 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,510 | $11,700BEST |
| Clinical placement | — | — |
| Accreditation | SCORECARD_BASELINE | SCORECARD_BASELINE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, College of DuPage or Illinois Central College?
College of DuPage's CERT program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 100%, compared to 87% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.
Which is cheaper, College of DuPage or Illinois Central College?
College of DuPage is the more affordable option at roughly $4,320, compared to $4,650. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.
Are College of DuPage and Illinois Central College the same type of program?
Both are CERT programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.
How do I decide between College of DuPage and Illinois Central College?
Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.
Want a personalized fit score?
Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.