3 accredited schools across the Chicago metro area trained 32 pharmacy technicians in 2023–24. Here’s how they compare on cost, length and size, plus what the job pays locally.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
Sorted by number of 2023–24 graduates (IPEDS), a proxy for program size and stability.
This public two-year college in Cook County graduated 13 Pharmacy Tech students in 2023–24, the 2nd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,815 ($12,292 out of state).
Public two-year college in Grayslake that reported 11 Pharmacy Tech graduates in 2023–24, the 3rd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,835 ($13,377 out of state).
8 Pharmacy Tech credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college, the 4th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,380 ($14,430 out of state).
3 accredited schools in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area graduated 32 Pharmacy Tech students in 2023–24. The largest was Oakton College with 13.
Pharmacy Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median $46,820 a year ($22.51/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $46,650 statewide and $45,750 nationally.
Certificate programs commonly take a few months to a year; associate-degree programs take about 2 years.