Illinois Central College

How this program compares

Illinois Central College's Certificate in Artificial Intelligence lists about $2.9K total tuition — roughly 74% below the $11.0K AI certificate average (7th percentile in our data). It runs on a full-time, part-time schedule (on-campus).

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: High school diploma or equivalent required; prior coursework in programming, math, or computer science preferred but not mandatory for certificate-level entry.

About This Program

A 10-month certificate program providing hands-on training in AI and machine learning to prepare students for key IT roles at major local and national companies. Most students complete it in about 0.83 years.

Estimated total tuition is $2.9K, below the $11.0K average for AI certificate programs in our database and in the 7th percentile on cost at this level. That makes it one of the more affordable options for students weighing return on investment.

It is one of 35 AI-related programs we track in Illinois, of which about 34% offer an online option. On price, it comes in cheaper than about 97% of the Illinois programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $71.7K.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as AI Engineer, with reported salaries around $120,000.

Core AI concepts including search algorithms and knowledge representation.

Career Outcomes

Illinois Central College positions this certificate track for AI Engineer careers — typical offers cluster around $120,000. Its focus on Machine Learning and AI Engineering / Applied AI maps directly to how employers screen for specialized skills rather than generic degrees. Federal projections for this occupational area point to roughly 23% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. AI Support Analyst
• 2. Machine Learning Technician
• 3. Data Annotation Specialist
• 4. Junior AI Developer

What You'll Learn

• Core AI concepts including search algorithms and knowledge representation
• Machine learning techniques such as classification, regression, and clustering
• Building and evaluating neural network models
• Applications of natural language processing and computer vision
• Ethical considerations in AI development and deployment

Curriculum Highlights

Includes 18 total credit hours over two semesters, focusing on cutting-edge technologies, data mining concepts, advanced search techniques, and practical laboratory instruction.

Top Employers

Top employers include tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM, as well as startups and consulting firms specializing in AI solutions.

Admissions

Admission to Illinois Central College's Certificate in Artificial Intelligence generally expects a none (post-secondary certificate). The GRE is not required here — a growing norm among AI programs — so applicants can often lead with coursework, projects and recommendations instead. Deadlines, testing policies and funding change year to year, so confirm the current requirements on the official program page before applying.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Optional
• Letters of Recommendation: Not Required
• Resume: Optional
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Frequently Asked Questions