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EMT & Paramedic Classes in Illinois

34 accredited Illinois schools graduated 2,342 EMT students in 2023–24. Compare them by city below, with published costs, program length and what EMTs earn in Illinois.

Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025

Schools
3420 cities
Lowest published cost
—credit-hour pricing
Graduates 2023–24
2,342
Illinois median pay
$42,260−$2,210 vs U.S.

Jump to a metro area

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Chicago, IL 15 schools

Moraine Valley Community College

9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL 60465
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (under 12 weeks)
Graduates '23–24
264
College tuition
$3,288/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

264 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college, the most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,288 ($9,312 out of state).

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
246
College tuition
$3,420/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

Public two-year college in Glen Ellyn that reported 246 EMT graduates in 2023–24, the 2nd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,420 ($11,610 out of state).

College of Lake County

19351 W Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
209
College tuition
$3,835/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

This public two-year college in Lake County graduated 209 EMT students in 2023–24, the 3rd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,835 ($13,377 out of state).

Oakton College

1600 E Golf Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60016
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
142
College tuition
$3,815/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

Public two-year college in Des Plaines that reported 142 EMT graduates in 2023–24, the 4th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,815 ($12,292 out of state).

City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
135
College tuition
$4,380/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

Public two-year college in Chicago that reported 135 EMT graduates in 2023–24, the 5th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,380 ($14,430 out of state).

Elgin Community College

1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL 60123
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
130
College tuition
$3,168/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

130 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,168 ($9,504 out of state).

Waubonsee Community College

Rte 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
116
College tuition
$3,240/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

116 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,240 ($12,138 out of state).

McHenry County College

8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)Certificate (1-2 years)
Graduates '23–24
110
College tuition
$3,495/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

This public two-year college in McHenry County graduated 110 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,495 ($14,368 out of state).

Prairie State College

202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
101
College tuition
$3,444/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

Public two-year college in Chicago Heights that reported 101 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,444 ($10,332 out of state).

William Rainey Harper College

1200 W Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067
Public Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
96
College tuition
$3,252/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

This public two-year college in Cook County graduated 96 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,252 ($11,232 out of state).

Triton College

2000 5th Ave, River Grove, IL 60171
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (under 12 weeks)
Graduates '23–24
81
College tuition
$4,440/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

81 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,440 ($14,400 out of state).

Kishwaukee College

21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL 60150
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
32
College tuition
$4,410/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

This public two-year college in DeKalb County graduated 32 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,410 ($13,230 out of state).

Joliet Junior College

1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
31
College tuition
$3,480/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

Public two-year college in Joliet that reported 31 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,480 ($12,750 out of state).

Morton College

3801 S Central Ave, Cicero, IL 60804
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
9
College tuition
$4,160/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

9 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,160 ($10,304 out of state).

South Suburban College

15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (under 12 weeks)
Graduates '23–24
2
College tuition
$4,560/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

This public two-year college in Cook County graduated 2 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,560 ($12,150 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Champaign, IL 1 school

Parkland College

2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL 61821
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Associate degreeCertificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
98
College tuition
$3,714/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

This public two-year college in Champaign County graduated 98 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,714 ($12,696 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Normal, IL 1 school

Heartland Community College

1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL 61761
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (1-2 years)
Graduates '23–24
98
College tuition
$4,980/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

This public two-year college in McLean County graduated 98 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,980 ($14,940 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Belleville, IL 1 school

Southwestern Illinois College

2500 Carlyle Ave, Belleville, IL 62221
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (under 12 weeks)
Graduates '23–24
74
College tuition
$3,600/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

Public two-year college in Belleville that reported 74 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,600 ($5,940 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Springfield, IL 1 school

Lincoln Land Community College

5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62794
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (under 12 weeks)
Graduates '23–24
68
College tuition
$3,288/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

68 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,288 ($9,864 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Oglesby, IL 1 school

Illinois Valley Community College

815 N Orlando Smith Road, Oglesby, IL 61348
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
48
College tuition
$3,768/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

Public two-year college in Oglesby that reported 48 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,768 ($14,689 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in East Peoria, IL 1 school

Illinois Central College

1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL 61635
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
44
College tuition
$4,256/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

44 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,256 ($11,654 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Olney, IL 1 school

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

233 East Chestnut Street, Olney, IL 62450
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
44
College tuition
$3,300/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

This public two-year college in Richland County graduated 44 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,300 ($11,250 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Carterville, IL 1 school

John A Logan College

700 Logan College Drive, Carterville, IL 62918
Public Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
28
College tuition
$4,350/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

This public two-year college in Williamson County graduated 28 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,350 ($7,260 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Godfrey, IL 1 school

Lewis and Clark Community College

5800 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
27
College tuition
$3,000/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

Public two-year college in Godfrey that reported 27 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,000 ($12,000 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Mattoon, IL 1 school

Lake Land College

5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
22
College tuition
$3,315/yr
Length
1-2 years

This public two-year college in Coles County graduated 22 EMT students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,315 ($12,941 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Centralia, IL 1 school

Kaskaskia College

27210 College Rd, Centralia, IL 62801
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
18
College tuition
$4,080/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

18 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,080 ($11,850 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Decatur, IL 1 school

Richland Community College

One College Park, Decatur, IL 62521
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (under 12 weeks)
Graduates '23–24
16
College tuition
$4,170/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

Public two-year college in Decatur that reported 16 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,170 ($16,650 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Kankakee, IL 1 school

Kankakee Community College

100 College Drive, Kankakee, IL 60901
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (under 12 weeks)
Graduates '23–24
16
College tuition
$4,500/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

16 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,500 ($25,110 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Ina, IL 1 school

Rend Lake College

468 N Ken Gray Pkwy, Ina, IL 62846
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degreeCertificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
13
College tuition
$3,300/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

Public two-year college in Ina that reported 13 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,300 ($6,600 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Canton, IL 1 school

Spoon River College

23235 North County 22, Canton, IL 61520
Public Certificate (under 12 weeks)
Graduates '23–24
9
College tuition
$4,740/yr
Length
under 12 weeks

Public two-year college in Canton that reported 9 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,740 ($11,700 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Moline, IL 1 school

Black Hawk College

6600-34th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
6
College tuition
$4,920/yr
Length
1-2 years

6 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,920 ($8,100 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Quincy, IL 1 school

John Wood Community College

1301 S 48th Street, Quincy, IL 62305
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
6
College tuition
$5,100/yr
Length
1-2 years

Public two-year college in Quincy that reported 6 EMT graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $5,100 ($8,400 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Rockford, IL 1 school

Rock Valley College

3301 N Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61114
Public Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)
Graduates '23–24
2
College tuition
$3,750/yr
Length
12 weeks to 1 year

2 EMT credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,750 ($20,820 out of state).

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Freeport, IL 1 school

Highland Community College

2998 W Pearl City Rd, Freeport, IL 61032
Public Certificate (1-2 years)Associate degree
Graduates '23–24
1
College tuition
$3,624/yr
Length
1-2 years

This public two-year college in Stephenson County graduated 1 EMT student in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,624 ($6,048 out of state).

How to get EMT certified in Illinois

  1. Complete a state-approved EMT course (CPR certification is usually a prerequisite).
  2. Pass the NREMT cognitive exam and a psychomotor skills exam.
  3. Apply for your state EMT license. Most states require you to be at least 18.
  4. Recertify every two years through the NREMT and/or your state.

Rules differ by state. Confirm current Illinois requirements with the relevant state board or registry before you enroll.

EMT & Paramedic Classes in Illinois: FAQ

How many EMT programs are in Illinois?

We list 34 accredited Illinois schools that graduated EMT students in 2023–24, 34 of them public. Together they awarded 2,342 EMT credentials that year.

How much do emt & paramedic classes cost in Illinois?

Most Illinois schools on this list are colleges that charge by the credit hour rather than a flat program price. Their median annual in-district tuition is $3,759; a short certificate typically costs a fraction of that.

How much do EMTs make in Illinois?

The median emergency medical technician in Illinois earns $42,260 a year ($20.32 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025, versus $44,470 nationally. The top 10% earn $135,490 or more.

Which Illinois school trains the most EMTs?

Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills reported the most EMT graduates in Illinois: 264 in 2023–24.

How long does EMT training take?

EMT courses commonly run one academic semester or an accelerated few weeks, plus clinical or field ride-along hours.

What exam do EMTs take?

Most states use the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) cognitive exam plus a psychomotor (skills) exam for initial licensure.

Other healthcare programs in Illinois