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Accredited first responder schools in Illinois

37 accredited schools in Illinois offer first responder programs approved for WIOA funding

These schools are on the US Department of Education's list of accredited schools, and Illinois has approved their programs for workforce funding. Between them they offer 97 of the 98 first responder programs on the state's list.

The Department doesn't accredit schools itself. It reviews accrediting agencies and lists the ones it recognizes as reliable judges of the quality of the education they accredit.1 Each school below names its accreditor, the year it was first accredited where the list records it, and its next review.

WIOA funding doesn't require accreditation. Besides colleges, a state can approve other public and private training providers,2 so many short courses come from schools that aren't on the Department's list. Their programs and results are on each field's page.

First responder training in Illinois, every school, with costs and results

All job training programs in Illinois

More accredited schools in Illinois: Trade schools · Nursing schools · Medical certification programs · Allied health programs · IT schools · Business schools · Transportation schools · Culinary and hospitality schools · Child care and social services programs

Accredited first responder schools in other states

Accredited EMT and paramedic programs in Illinois

28 of the 29 schools with EMT and paramedic programs on Illinois's list are accredited. They offer 51 of the 52 programs. See these programs with prices and results

Show the other 18 accredited schools

  • John Wood Community College

    Quincy

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1980, next review 2033

    2 programs

  • Joliet Junior College

    Joliet

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2034

    2 programs

  • Kaskaskia College

    Centralia

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1964, next review 2030

    2 programs

  • Lake Land College

    Mattoon

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2035

    2 programs

  • Malcolm X College

    Chicago

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2028

    2 programs

  • South Suburban College

    South Holland, listed as South Suburban College of Cook County

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2029

    2 programs

  • Black Hawk College

    Moline

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2033

    1 program

  • Carl Sandburg College

    Galesburg

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2031

    1 program

  • College Of DuPage

    Glen Ellyn

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2028

    1 program

  • Heartland Community College

    Normal

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1994, next review 2029

    1 program

  • Illinois Central College

    East Peoria

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2030

    1 program

  • Illinois Eastern Community Colleges / FCC

    Fairfield, listed as Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2035

    1 program

  • Lewis and Clark Community College

    Godfrey

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1971, next review 2033

    1 program

  • Moraine Valley Community College

    Palos Hills

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2028

    1 program

  • Morton College

    Cicero

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2027

    1 program

  • Prairie State College

    Chicago Heights

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2029

    1 program

  • Richland Community College

    Decatur

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2034

    1 program

  • Southeastern Community College

    West Burlington

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2030

    1 program

Accredited criminal justice programs in Illinois

All 27 schools with criminal justice programs on Illinois's list are accredited. They offer all 34 programs. See these programs with prices and results

Show the other 17 accredited schools

  • Elgin Comm. College District #509

    Elgin, listed as Elgin Community College

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2036

    1 program

  • Heartland Community College

    Normal

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1994, next review 2029

    1 program

  • Illinois Eastern Community Colleges / OCC

    Olney, listed as Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2035

    1 program

  • John A. Logan Community College

    Carterville, listed as John A Logan College

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2028

    1 program

  • John Wood Community College

    Quincy

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1980, next review 2033

    1 program

  • Joliet Junior College

    Joliet

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2034

    1 program

  • Kankakee Community College

    Kankakee

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2035

    1 program

  • Kaskaskia College

    Centralia

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1964, next review 2030

    1 program

  • Lake Land College

    Mattoon

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2035

    1 program

  • Lewis and Clark Community College

    Godfrey

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1971, next review 2033

    1 program

  • Lincoln Land Community College

    Springfield

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionsince 1973, next review 2033

    1 program

  • Parkland College

    Champaign

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2033

    1 program

  • Rend Lake College

    Ina

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2029

    1 program

  • Richland Community College

    Decatur

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2034

    1 program

  • Southeastern Community College

    West Burlington

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2030

    1 program

  • Southeastern Illinois College

    Harrisburg

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2030

    1 program

  • West Kentucky Community & Tech College

    Paducah, listed as West Kentucky Community and Technical College

    Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Collegesnext review 2028

    1 program

Accredited firefighter programs in Illinois

All 5 schools with firefighter programs on Illinois's list are accredited. They offer all 8 programs. See these programs with prices and results

Accredited police and corrections programs in Illinois

All 3 schools with police and corrections programs on Illinois's list are accredited. They offer all 4 programs. See these programs with prices and results

How we matched Illinois's schools to the accreditation list

Which schools are counted?

Schools with programs Illinois approved for WIOA funding in public safety, from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).3 The two lists share no ID number, so we matched each school by its website and name in the same state, and checked every unclear case by hand. A school that only hosts a college's classes doesn't count as the college. Where we couldn't tell, the school is left out.

How current is the accreditation?

We read the Department's list of October 24, 2026 and count only current accreditation. The Department notes that agencies report this information, that it isn't audited, and that the agency itself has the latest status.1 Before you enroll, check the school's standing with its accreditor.

Sources for the accreditation facts about Illinois

Show the 3 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), data files of 2026-10-24
  2. 20 CFR 680.410, What is an eligible training provider? (eCFR)
  3. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List