- Rend Lake College is a nationally ranked community college, located on the eastern shore of scenic Rend Lake in Southern Illinois. RLC has an open enrollment policy. What does that mean? It means no waiting and watching the mailbox for that letter to arrive because YOU ARE ACCEPTED!
School Highlights
Rend Lake College serves 3,270 students (35% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is higher than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 53%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 3,270 students
- In-state tuition: $4,050
- Out-state tuition: $6,000
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
- Minority enrollment: 11%
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Rend Lake College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
The teacher population of 128 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Rend Lake College
(IL) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
128 staff
239 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Rend Lake College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Rend Lake College diversity score of 0.21 is less than the state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,270 students
3,838 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
26:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
1,133 students
1,091 students
# Part-Time Students
2,137 students
2,747 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
327 students
328 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,133 students
1,091 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
43 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,137 students
3,310 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
18 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
132 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
2%
26%
% Black
4%
13%
% White
89%
47%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
3%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
1%
4%
Diversity Score
0.21
0.69
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.5561%
40%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
55%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$29,100
$30,400
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $4,050 is less than the state average of $7,875. The in-state tuition has declined by 32% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,000 is less than the state average of $10,847. The out-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,050
$7,875
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,000
$10,847
Tuition Notes
$135 per credit hour in district
$200 per credit hour out of district
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
87%
81%
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,187
$8,029
Median Debt for Dropouts
$3,500
$4,618
Acceptance Rate
100%
89%
SAT Reading
n/a
390
SAT Math
n/a
360
SAT Writing
n/a
355
ACT Composite
n/a
17
ACT English
n/a
17
ACT Math
n/a
17
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
14 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Agriculture ClubArt League
Automotive ClubDance
Future Educators of AmericaNational Society of Leadership
Nursing ClubPhi Beta Lambda
Phi Theta KappaRadiology Club
Student AmbassadorsThespians Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Rend Lake College TheatreSpring Musical
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Rend Lake College provides educational opportunities across cultural and economic boundaries to the diverse student population we serve. We are committed to our students` success in achieving their educational goals and to meeting our community-focused program objectives. With Rend Lake College, student journeys start here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Rend Lake College cost?
Rend Lake College's tuition is approximately $4,050 for In-State students and $6,000 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Rend Lake College?
The acceptance rate of Rend Lake College is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 89%.
What is Rend Lake College's ranking?
Rend Lake College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Illinois for: Least expensive tuition.
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