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Surgical tech programs in Illinois

17 surgical tech programs with results and funding that can make them free

15 schools offer these surgical technology programs, and Illinois has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows how past students did; Illinois files no usable prices.

Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange the equipment and help doctors during surgery. Most have a certificate or an associate degree from an accredited program, and some employers require certification.1

In Illinois, 4 of the 17 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent and 13 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 17 programs here are surgical technology (associate degree, 11 programs), surgical technology certificate or diploma (4 programs) and surgical tech program (level not stated, 2 programs).

See the 17 programs

How much do surgical tech programs cost in Illinois?

Not reported

Illinois files no usable prices, so none can be shown.

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not reported
None of the 17 programs report it
Working 6 months later
100%
Earned a year, estimated
about $46,000
Length
64 to 80 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Illinois may also offer surgical tech programs. How these figures are made

Are there free surgical tech programs in Illinois?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 17 surgical tech programs in Illinois approved for WIOA funding

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17 programs

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Surgical Technologist (Associates Degree)

    Illinois Central College

    East Peoria

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Illinois Central College, East PeoriaSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$46,000
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technologist (Associates Degree) at Illinois Central College
    More details about Surgical Technologist (Associates Degree) at Illinois Central College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,496
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    38
    Earned a year, estimated
    $46,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technologist (Associates Degree) at Illinois Central College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Surgical Technology

    Parkland College

    Champaign

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Parkland College, ChampaignSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$46,200
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Parkland College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Parkland College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,552
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    $46,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Parkland College

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personEducation and courses

    Surgical Technology

    Richland Community College

    Decatur

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Richland Community College, DecaturSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$52,200
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Richland Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Richland Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,048
    Length
    75 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    25
    Earned a year, estimated
    $52,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Richland Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Surgical Technology AAS

    John Wood Community College

    Quincy

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    John Wood Community College, QuincySurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$41,400
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    School website, Surgical Technology AAS at John Wood Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology AAS at John Wood Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,349
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    19
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    School website, Surgical Technology AAS at John Wood Community College

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaHybridEducation and courses

    Surgical Technology Certificate

    John Wood Community College

    Quincy

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    John Wood Community College, QuincySurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$41,400
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    School website, Surgical Technology Certificate at John Wood Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology Certificate at John Wood Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,349
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    19
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    School website, Surgical Technology Certificate at John Wood Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    A.A.S. Surgical Technology Degree

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Harper College, PalatineSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, A.A.S. Surgical Technology Degree at Harper College
    More details about A.A.S. Surgical Technology Degree at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, A.A.S. Surgical Technology Degree at Harper College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Associate Degree Surgical Technology Degree (SGT)

    Lincoln Land Community College

    Springfield

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Lincoln Land Community College, SpringfieldSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Associate Degree Surgical Technology Degree (SGT) at Lincoln Land Community College
    More details about Associate Degree Surgical Technology Degree (SGT) at Lincoln Land Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Associate Degree Surgical Technology Degree (SGT) at Lincoln Land Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology

    Midwestern Career College

    Naperville

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Midwestern Career College, NapervilleSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology at Midwestern Career College
    More details about Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology at Midwestern Career College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology at Midwestern Career College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology

    Rockford Career College

    Rockford

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rockford Career College, RockfordSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology at Rockford Career College
    More details about Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology at Rockford Career College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology at Rockford Career College

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Sterile Processing and Surgical Technologist

    Illinois Valley Community College

    Oglesby

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Illinois Valley Community College, OglesbySurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Sterile Processing and Surgical Technologist at Illinois Valley Community College
    More details about Sterile Processing and Surgical Technologist at Illinois Valley Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Sterile Processing and Surgical Technologist at Illinois Valley Community College

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaHybridEducation and courses

    Surgical Technologist

    Stellar Career College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Stellar Career College, ChicagoSurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Stellar Career College
    More details about Surgical Technologist at Stellar Career College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Stellar Career College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technologist - Associates Degree

    Rasmussen College

    Rockford

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rasmussen College, RockfordSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technologist - Associates Degree at Rasmussen College
    More details about Surgical Technologist - Associates Degree at Rasmussen College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    85 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technologist - Associates Degree at Rasmussen College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Black Hawk College

    Moline

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Black Hawk College, MolineSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Black Hawk College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Black Hawk College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Black Hawk College

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personPrerequisite courses

    Surgical Technology

    Malcolm X College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Malcolm X College, ChicagoSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Malcolm X College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Malcolm X College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Malcolm X College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personPrerequisite courses

    Surgical Technology - AAS Degree

    College Of DuPage

    Glen Ellyn

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    College Of DuPage, Glen EllynSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technology - AAS Degree at College Of DuPage
    More details about Surgical Technology - AAS Degree at College Of DuPage
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    96 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technology - AAS Degree at College Of DuPage

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Surgical Technology AAS

    Elgin Comm. College District #509

    Elgin

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Elgin Comm. College District #509, ElginSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technology AAS at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    More details about Surgical Technology AAS at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technology AAS at Elgin Comm. College District #509

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Surgical Technology VS

    Elgin Comm. College District #509

    Elgin

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Elgin Comm. College District #509, ElginSurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Surgical Technology VS at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    More details about Surgical Technology VS at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Surgical Technology VS at Elgin Comm. College District #509

How to pay for surgical tech programs in Illinois

WIOA funding can pay for surgical tech programs in Illinois

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for surgical tech programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for surgical tech programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Surgical tech programs in Illinois

other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
15 of 17
surgical tech programs here, against the typical state's 6
17 vs 6

State comparisons use the same figures as the surgical tech programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Surgical tech programs in Chicago, Quincy, Rockford and other Illinois cities

Areas with 10 or more programs have a page of their own. Choosing another area filters the program list above. 3 more programs are in 3 other areas.

Other training in Illinois

How surgical tech programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in Illinois

Where the Illinois surgical technology program numbers come from

Which Illinois surgical technology programs are on this list?

These are the surgical technology programs Illinois approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Illinois offers.

How the prices and results of Illinois surgical technology programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

How reliable are the Illinois figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Illinois among the states with "known data quality concerns".10 We leave out the share who finished for Illinois: only a few programs report it, and those at a typical 11%. We leave out prices for Illinois: the state files a code in place of each price, so no price can be shown.

Sources for the facts about surgical tech programs in Illinois

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Surgical Technologists
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. 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
  10. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: search page, note on states with known data quality concerns