Capital Area Career Center
Capital Area Career Center is a public university in Springfield, IL earning an overall grade of Unranked, enrolling about 161 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 94.4%. Students most often pursue Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
Families typically invest $16,797, about $201 less than the national median. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $50,684. That's about $6,996 higher than national results. Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Capital Area Career Center has an acceptance rate of 94.4%, annual tuition of $12,075, and average net price of $16,797, with about 161 undergraduates, and median earnings of $50,684 six years after enrollment. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Who is Capital Area Career Center Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Capital Area Career Center's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Program Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time certificate-seeking students.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $12,075 |
| Books and Supplies | $116 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | Not reported |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | Not reported |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $20,495 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 60.9% of Capital Area Career Center students receive Pell Grants — well above the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $13,100 to $20,495 depending on family income. Use Capital Area Career Center's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $50,684
- 10-Year Median Earnings $55,357
- Average Years to Graduate 1.0 years
- Average Student Debt $9,500
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 47.8%
- Employment Rate Not reported
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Capital Area Career Center graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Capital Area Career Center vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Capital Area Career Center's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Capital Area Career Center's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 161
- Full-Time Students 90.1%
- Part-Time Students 9.9%
- Retention Rate Not reported
- Graduation Rate Not reported
- Student-Faculty Ratio 18:1
How to Get Into Capital Area Career Center
1. Meet Program Requirements: Capital Area Career Center focuses on practical skills and career readiness. Review the specific program requirements, which may include a high school diploma or equivalent, and any prerequisite coursework.
2. Prepare for Your Program: Focus on demonstrating your interest in the field and readiness for hands-on training. Some programs may require interviews or portfolio submissions.
3. Understand Admissions: Trade and certificate programs typically have open or moderately selective admissions focused on program fit rather than academic competition.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 94.4% acceptance rate, Capital Area Career Center is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Capital Area Career Center undergraduates. Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing draws the most students.
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing 100.0%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Certificate Programs
- 1. Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants $51,437
Program Choice Matters: Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Capital Area Career Center. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 109 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (1 program)▼
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 161
- Full-Time Students 90.1%
- Part-Time Students 9.9%
- Male Students 3.1%
- Female Students 96.9%
- Caucasian 47.8%
- Asian 0.6%
- Hispanic 0.0%
- Black 45.3%
- Pell Grant Recipients 60.9%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Capital Area Career Center's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Capital Area Career Center's undergraduate population. Women make up 96.9% of the student body, while men represent 3.1%.
EDsmart Insight: Capital Area Career Center has a diverse student body, with 47.8% identifying as White. Women make up 96.9% of undergraduates. 60.9% of students receive Pell Grants, well above the national average, indicating strong support for low-income students.
Our Take
Capital Area Career Center serves as an affordable trade school for students seeking quality education without elite university costs. Unranked with ROI data not available, the institution balances practical outcomes with budget-friendly pricing.
At $16,797 annually, students gain access to career-focused programs leading to $50,684 median earnings. Graduation rate data is not reported for this trade school. Retention data is not available.
Trade School Value: Capital Area Career Center's Strengths
Unranked with a Unranked grade, Capital Area Career Center prioritizes accessibility and local career connections over national prestige.
Primary Strengths: Trade Schools like Capital Area Career Center excel at providing affordable education ($16,797 annually) with strong local employer relationships. Many programs emphasize practical skills and internships within the regional economy.
Best For: Students planning to work in the region after graduation benefit from established employer connections. Adult learners and part-time students appreciate flexible scheduling. First-generation students and budget-conscious families gain degrees without overwhelming debt.
Honest Assessment: Available data trail elite universities but align with typical trade school performance. Career outcomes ($50,684 median earnings) reflect regional job markets more than national opportunities.
Value Verdict: For students committed to regional careers, Capital Area Career Center and $16,797 cost deliver solid value. Those seeking national job mobility or prestigious credentials should compare against flagship state universities or targeted private scholarships.
Key Takeaways
- Median earnings of $50,684 run about 16% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $16,797 is roughly $600 lower than the national median of $17,397.
- 18:1 student-faculty ratio keeps advising personal and discussion-sized.
- 94.4% admission rate signals a welcoming, mission-driven review process.
Helpfulness for Students
- 18:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- Career coaching and alumni mentoring help learners convert classes into early job offers.
- Career coaching and alumni mentoring help learners convert classes into early job offers.
- 60.9% of students borrow federal loans, outpacing typical campuses and raising repayment stakes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Springfield, IL, Capital Area Career Center operates as a public university and receives a Unranked from EDsmart. Completion earns Unranked, Support Unranked, Career Outcomes Unranked, and Affordability Unranked.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Review the cost and aid tables for a full picture of value.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $16,797 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $20,495.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $3,698 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $9,500 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 60.9% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Six years in, alumni earn roughly $50,684 at the median. This is roughly 16% above typical U.S. college outcomes.
Employment figures are not reported, so explore departmental job placement stories.
Use the ROI table above to estimate how long it may take to recoup your degree costs.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
94.4% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Capital Area Career Center admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Nearby Schools
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Note: EDsmart’s national college rankings compare four-year, bachelor’s-granting institutions. Certificate- and trade-focused schools are not included in that ranking pool. The schools below are four-year references in the same state only, not peer comparisons.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Capital Area Career Center's acceptance rate?
Capital Area Career Center's acceptance rate is 94.4%, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard admissions data.
How much does Capital Area Career Center cost?
At Capital Area Career Center, listed tuition and fees are $12,075 per year, and the average net price after aid is $16,797. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What are Capital Area Career Center's job outcomes?
Graduates of Capital Area Career Center report median earnings of $50,684 six years after enrollment, according to College Scorecard federal outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is Capital Area Career Center's student population?
Capital Area Career Center enrolls about 161 undergraduate students, per College Scorecard enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address 2201 Toronto Rd, Springfield, IL 62712-3803
- Website caccspringfield.org
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Secondary Education (MSACSS)