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Public, 2-year

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois · www.waubonsee.edu

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Out-of-state tuition

$10,464

In-state $9,384

Peer median $8,816

Undergraduates

8,305

Student-faculty ratio 21:1

Peer median 18 : 1

Graduation rate

41.0%

Within 150% of normal time; 200%: 44.9%

Peer median 33.7%

“Peers” are all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S. (by Carnegie Classification).

About

Waubonsee Community College, located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, is a prominent institution known for its commitment to providing accessible and high-quality education to a diverse student body. Established in 1966, the college prides itself on fostering an inclusive environment that supports students from various backgrounds and educational levels. With a mission centered around empowering learners, Waubonsee offers a wide range of programs, including associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education courses that cater to both traditional and non-traditional students. The college is particularly recognized for its strong emphasis on student success, providing resources such as academic advising, tutoring, and career services to help students achieve their educational and professional goals.

The college's vibrant campus culture is enriched by numerous student organizations, athletic programs, and community service opportunities, promoting a well-rounded student experience. Waubonsee Community College is also committed to maintaining state-of-the-art facilities, which include modern classrooms, laboratories, and recreational areas that enhance both learning and social interactions. The institution's strategic location in the Fox Valley region makes it an ideal choice for students, providing easy access to a variety of cultural and professional opportunities. With a strong focus on workforce development and partnerships with local industries, Waubonsee graduates are well-prepared for successful careers, contributing positively to the community and beyond.

Analysis of Key Educational Metrics at Waubonsee Community College

Over the past decade, Waubonsee Community College has experienced significant changes in several key educational metrics that reflect broader trends in higher education. Notably, tuition fees for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students have risen sharply. In 2014, in-state tuition was $6,564, but by 2024, it has increased to $11,369, representing a staggering 73% increase. This trend mirrors national concerns about the rising costs of education, which can deter prospective students from pursuing higher education, especially those from lower-income backgrounds.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the student retention rate, which has varied over the years. The retention rate reached its peak in 2020 at approximately 71.5%, but has since declined to around 68.5% in 2023. This decline may indicate challenges in student engagement or support, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted student experiences and mental health.

Additionally, the graduation rates for undergraduate students have shown a positive trend. The on-time graduation rate has increased from about 7% in 2013 to approximately 17% in 2023. This improvement indicates that the institution may be implementing more effective support systems to help students complete their degrees on time.

Furthermore, the ratio of male to female students has remained relatively stable, with female undergraduate students consistently making up a higher percentage of the student body. In 2023, females represented about 56% of the undergraduate population, highlighting the growing trend of female enrollment in higher education institutions.

In summary, while Waubonsee Community College has made strides in improving graduation rates, the rising tuition and fluctuating retention rates present ongoing challenges that need to be addressed to ensure equitable access to education for all students.

This collegeRanked colleges nearby

Setting
Rural, near a city
Nearest major city
Chicago, about 40 mi
Nearest international airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), about 30 mi
Sugar Grove, Illinois
Also known as
Waubonsee
Academic calendar
Semester
Religious affiliation
Not applicable
President
Brian Knetl (President)
Phone
6304667900
City
Sugar Grove, Illinois
Address
Rte 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554-9454

Degrees & Majors

Graduates in 2025 (first major)

Associate1,0042 international (0.2%)
Top 10 Associate majors by graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
470
Biological and Physical Sciences
273
General Studies
54
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
43
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician
25
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
18
Fire Science/Fire-fighting
18
Business Administration and Management, General
16
Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)
11
CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician
10

U.S. studentsInternational

Data insights

Analysis of Graduation Data from Waubonsee Community College

The graduation data from Waubonsee Community College reveals intriguing insights into the academic trends and popular fields of study among students. Notably, the highest number of associate degree graduates comes from the Biological and Physical Sciences program, with 287 graduates. This could reflect the increasing interest in health-related fields, a trend reinforced by the ongoing global health crises which have highlighted the importance of scientific education and healthcare professionals.

In contrast, the Registered Nursing program has also shown a significant output with 78 graduates, indicating a strong demand for nursing professionals. This is particularly relevant as the healthcare sector continues to face challenges in staffing and patient care, further emphasizing the importance of nursing education in community colleges.

Interestingly, programs such as Accounting and Business Administration have generated a modest number of graduates, which may suggest a more competitive job market in these fields or a shift in student interest towards more technical or healthcare-focused disciplines.

Moreover, all bachelor, master, and doctorate programs show zero graduates, which might indicate that Waubonsee Community College primarily focuses on associate degree programs, or that further education opportunities are pursued elsewhere.

Another noteworthy aspect is the lack of international students graduating in most programs, suggesting that the college may need to enhance its outreach and support for international students to diversify its student body and enrich the learning environment.

Overall, this data not only reflects the academic landscape within the college but also mirrors broader trends in the job market and societal needs, particularly in healthcare and technical fields.

All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard

*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes

Liberal arts has 524 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.$39,015
General Studies.$39,015
Multi/inerdisciplinary studies has 273 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Biological and Physical Sciences.$34,771
Health professionshas 63 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician.-
Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance).$42,403
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.$73,575
Mechanic and repair has 33 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.-
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician.-
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.-
Computer and information sciencehas 30 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Computer Programming/Programmer, General.-
Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design.-
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance.-
Computer Support Specialist.-
Businesshas 22 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Business Administration and Management, General.-
Accounting.-
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General.-
Homeland security has 18 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Fire Science/Fire-fighting.-
Engineering technologieshas 16 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Automation Engineer Technology/Technician.-
Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician.-
CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician.-
Legal professionshas 6 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Legal Assistant/Paralegal.-
Human science has 5 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Child Care Provider/Assistant.-
Public administrationhas 5 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Social Work.-
Visual and Performing artshas 4 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Fine/Studio Arts, General.-
Engineeringhas 3 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Engineering, General.-
Foreign languages has 1 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation.-
Precision production has 1 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Welding Technology/Welder.-

Students

8,305 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 45:55 · Freshman retention 70.2%

Undergraduate race and ethnicity (8,305)

Hispanic
3,875 · 46.7%
White
3,144 · 37.9%
Black
645 · 7.8%
Asian
334 · 4.0%
Two or more races
192 · 2.3%
Unknown
87 · 1.0%

Age distribution

Bachelor's

Under 18
12.2%
18–19
30.8%
20–21
17.4%
22–24
11.4%
25 and over
28.1%

Data insights

Student Demographics at Waubonsee Community College in 2023

In 2023, Waubonsee Community College has showcased a diverse student body with a noticeable gender distribution and an array of ethnic backgrounds. The total number of undergraduate freshmen stands at 1,413, with males representing 52.1% and females 47.9%. This relatively balanced gender ratio reflects a growing trend of inclusivity within community colleges, where traditionally male-dominated fields are increasingly attracting female students.

For undergraduate continuing students, the enrollment is significantly higher at 3,806, but with a skewed gender ratio of 41.9% male to 58.1% female. This shift indicates a larger participation of women in higher education, resonating with national statistics that show female students outnumbering males in many institutions.

The data on transfer students reveals that there are 181 individuals, with males constituting 44.8% and females 55.2%. This again illustrates the trend of female students pursuing higher education opportunities through transfer pathways.

Interestingly, the demographic breakdown by ethnicity shows that while the college has a strong representation of white students, the institution also serves a multicultural population which includes various ethnicities. However, the lack of detailed data for the graduate students and the specified subcategories of ethnicity limits a deeper analysis of diversity within those groups.

Overall, Waubonsee Community College's student demographics for 2023 exemplify the ongoing evolution in higher education towards greater gender balance and an increasingly diverse student population. This reflects broader societal trends where educational opportunities are becoming more accessible to varied demographics, fostering an environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

Analysis of Age Demographics at Waubonsee Community College

The age demographics of students at Waubonsee Community College reveal some insightful trends in the student population. A significant majority of students fall within the 18-24 age range, with 1161 males and 1218 females aged 18-19, and 648 males and 685 females aged 20-21. This indicates that the college attracts a large number of traditional students who are likely pursuing their undergraduate studies immediately after high school.

Interestingly, as the age increases, the number of enrolled students tends to decrease. For instance, in the 22-24 age group, there are 381 males and 454 females, which is a noticeable drop compared to the earlier age brackets. This trend continues through the mature age groups, with only 20 males and 19 females over 65 years old. The declining numbers in older age groups may reflect the challenges adult learners face in balancing education with other life responsibilities, such as work and family.

Furthermore, the data shows that there are no male graduate students enrolled, which is quite unusual and raises questions about the enrollment strategies or interests of the male demographic in pursuing higher education at this institution. In contrast, the presence of female graduate students, while not quantified here, suggests that women may be more inclined to continue their education beyond the undergraduate level.

Overall, Waubonsee Community College's age demographic data highlights the importance of understanding the needs and challenges of different age groups to better tailor educational programs and support services. As educational institutions strive to cater to a diverse student body, insights from such demographic analyses can guide improvements and enhance enrollment strategies.

International Students

International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Undergraduates0.0%

0 in 2025 · 0.0% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 0.0%2017: 0.0%2018: 0.0%2019: 0.0%2020: 0.0%2021: 0.0%2022: 0.0%2023: 0.0%2024: 0.0%2025: 0.0%
2016Peer median 0.6%2025

Data insights

Analysis of International Student Enrollment at Waubonsee Community College

The data from Waubonsee Community College reveals a modest presence of international students within its undergraduate programs from 2004 to 2007. The total number of undergraduate students increased from 8,373 in 2004 to 8,843 in 2007. However, the number of international students remained relatively low, with only 4 in 2004, which slightly increased to 7 by 2007. This indicates that the percentage of international students among the total undergraduate population was below 0.1%, peaking at 0.08% in 2007.

This low representation of international students could reflect several factors. Firstly, it may suggest that Waubonsee Community College has not actively targeted international markets or established partnerships with institutions abroad, which are crucial for attracting foreign students. Additionally, the community college's focus may be primarily on local or domestic students, limiting its global appeal.

In comparison to national trends, which have shown an increase in international student enrollment across various higher education institutions, Waubonsee's figures appear stagnant. The broader landscape has demonstrated that many colleges and universities are enhancing their international recruitment strategies to diversify their student bodies and enrich the educational experience.

The absence of graduate student data during this period also raises questions about the college's offerings and appeal to international graduate students. Overall, Waubonsee Community College may benefit from revisiting its international outreach strategies to enhance its attractiveness to prospective international students and stay competitive in the evolving educational market.

Cost

2025 cost per year (out-of-state)

$33,164

Undergrad tuition (out-of-state)
$10,464
Undergraduate tuition (in-state)
$9,384
Room and board
$22,700
Out-of-state tuition and room and board over time

Peer median tuition + room and board $19,938 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Tuition rose 38% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 193%.

Finances · fiscal year 2024

Revenue$127M

Government grants and contracts
$94.7M74.6%
Tuition and fees
$17.0M13.4%
Investment return
$10.6M8.3%
Auxiliary enterprises
$3.3M2.6%
Other
$1.3M1.0%

Expenses$107M

Instruction
$32.8M30.7%
Institutional support
$30.5M28.6%
Student services
$22.6M21.1%
Scholarships
$6.9M6.5%
Academic support
$6.1M5.7%
Auxiliary enterprises
$5.8M5.4%
Public service
$1.9M1.8%

Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)

Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

All faculty
$115,171peers $68,588
Professor
$132,678peers $79,972
Associate professor
$113,760peers $69,677
Assistant professor
$103,294peers $62,785
Instructor
$101,125peers $61,593

Campus Life

Athletics and varsity athletes NJCAA
2025
NJCAA Division II MENWOMEN
Soccer2716
Baseball34-
Basketball2110
Softball-17
Cross Country77
Volleyball-11
Tennis44
Golf7-
Other Sports--
2024
NJCAA Division IIMENWOMEN
Soccer2525
Baseball41-
Basketball1711
Softball-18
Cross Country75
Volleyball-11
Golf6-
Other Sports--
2023
NJCAA Division IIMENWOMEN
Soccer2820
Baseball34-
Basketball1710
Softball-16
Cross Country94
Volleyball-11
Other Sports8-
Golf7-

Nearby & Safety

Ranked colleges nearby

Data insights

Here are some notable colleges and universities surrounding Waubonsee Community College:

  1. Northwestern University - Ranked 9th in the 2024 US News rankings, Northwestern is a prestigious private research university located in Evanston, Illinois. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields.

  2. University of Chicago - With a ranking of 12th, the University of Chicago is known for its rigorous academics and distinguished faculty. It is a private research university located in Chicago and is famous for its contributions to economics, law, and the sciences.

  3. University of Illinois Chicago - Ranked 82nd, UIC is a public research university that offers a diverse range of programs and has a vibrant campus life. It is known for its research initiatives and commitment to community engagement.

  4. DePaul University - With a rank of 151, DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the U.S. and offers a wide array of programs. Located in Chicago, it is known for its focus on practical experience and community service.

  5. Loyola University Chicago - Ranked 142nd, Loyola is a private Jesuit university known for its commitment to social justice and community service. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.

  6. Wheaton College - A highly regarded liberal arts college ranked 56th, Wheaton College emphasizes a strong Christian foundation in its education and is known for its rigorous academic programs.

  7. University of Notre Dame - Ranked 20th, Notre Dame is a prestigious Catholic research university located in South Bend, Indiana. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, vibrant campus life, and athletic traditions.

These institutions provide a wide range of educational opportunities and are well-respected in their respective fields.

Campus safety · incidents per 1,000 students

Peer median 0.4 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Incidents, 2023–2025

Weapons arrests
1
Stalking
1

From the Clery Act campus safety reports schools file, covering on-campus, non-campus and public property.

Data insights

Analysis of Crime Rates at Waubonsee Community College

The crime data from Waubonsee Community College reveals a concerning trend over the last decade. The overall crime rate, as indicated by the average incidents per 1,000 students, shows a significant increase from 0.20 in 2013 to a peak of 4.45 in 2019. This sharp rise indicates that the campus has faced increasing safety challenges, particularly in terms of violent crimes such as gun-related offenses and domestic violence.

In 2019, the college experienced notable incidents, with the data reflecting a growing issue that necessitates immediate attention from campus security and local law enforcement. However, it’s worth noting that the year 2020 saw a dramatic decrease in the crime rate to 0.35, which could be attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to fewer students on campus and thus, potentially lower crime rates.

Interestingly, while the crime rate fluctuates, the number of gun-related arrests has remained a consistent concern, highlighting the need for ongoing safety measures and awareness programs. The increase in recorded incidents of drug-related arrests and alcohol offenses further emphasizes the necessity for preventive strategies, particularly in educating students about the implications of substance abuse.

Going forward, it is crucial for Waubonsee Community College to analyze these trends and implement effective safety measures, including counseling services, educational workshops, and stronger on-campus security protocols. Engaging the student body in discussions about safety can also foster a more secure environment. For further understanding of crime rate calculations, refer to this link: Crime Rate Calculation.

References and Data Sources

Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.