Illinois Community Colleges
Automotive Technology Programs
Automotive technology programs at community colleges in this state. ASE-aligned coursework for technicians and service writers.
8 colleges · 113 sections · 77 unique courses · Fall 2026
Auto-tech programs at Illinois community colleges prepare students for ASE-certified service technician careers at dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet operations, and specialty performance/heavy-equipment facilities. The 113 sections at 8 Illinois Community Colleges colleges this term combine shop hours on real vehicles with theory in engines, transmissions, brakes, electronics, HVAC, and (increasingly) electric and hybrid drivetrains.
Most Illinois programs are NATEF-accredited and aligned to ASE testing — graduates can sit for individual ASE exams (A1 engine repair, A4 suspension/steering, etc.) and stack credentials over their career. The diploma or AAS gets students into the shop; the ASE certifications and dealer-specific training (Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Honda PACT) are what determine long-term pay.
Colleges offering Automotive Technology
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | 34 | 20 | — | — | — |
| Triton College | 22 | 11 | — | — | — |
| Waubonsee Community College | 16 | 16 | — | — | — |
| Danville Area Community College | 12 | 7 | — | — | — |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | 11 | 10 | — | — | — |
| Kankakee Community College | 9 | 7 | — | — | — |
| Shawnee Community College | 6 | 6 | — | — | — |
| Oakton College | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Automotive Technology Availability Snapshot
How automotive technology sections are being offered across 8 colleges in Illinois this term (113 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person106 (94%)
- hybrid5 (4%)
- online2 (2%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)56
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)28
- Evening (5 PM and after)24
- Asynchronous / TBA5
Start dates
Sections begin on 18 distinct dates. 27 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 41 distinct instructors across 8 colleges.
Common Automotive Technology courses
- AUTO 111Intro to Engine & EV Motors(6 sections)
- AUT 164Elec Fnd: Circuit, Tool & Diag(4 sections)
- AUT 162Steer, Suspen-Wheel Align Sys(3 sections)
- AUT 165Brake Syst Fund: Theory & Main(3 sections)
- AUT 210Man Tran & Drivtrn: Serv & Rpr(3 sections)
- AUTO 1131Automotive Electrical I(3 sections)
- AUTO 1140Suspension Steer & Alignment(3 sections)
- ATR 115Descriptive Astronomy(3 sections)
- AUT 120Diesel Elect and Electronic I(2 sections)
- AUT 212Eng Perfor Ii: Int & Driv Diag(2 sections)
- AUT 214Auto Systems Integrat Capstone(2 sections)
- AUTO 1040Automotive for Non-Majors(2 sections)
Career outlook for Automotive Technology graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Illinois’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Will I need to buy my own tools?
- Eventually yes. Most Illinois programs supply the shop tools you'll use during training, but ASE-certified service technicians at dealerships and independents are expected to bring their own. Tool collections build over a career; budget $3-8k in the first year of full-time employment, much more over time. Some shops offer tool-purchase assistance for new hires.
- What's the pay range for an auto tech?
- Starting techs (apprentices, lube-rack roles) earn $15-20/hr at most Illinois shops. Master-certified techs with multiple ASE credentials at busy dealerships earn $25-45/hr, often on a flat-rate (book-time) system that rewards faster, more efficient work. Diesel and specialty techs (BMW, Mercedes, performance shops) earn the upper end. Independent-shop ownership is the long-tail career path.
- Are EV-specific training and certifications part of the program?
- Increasingly yes. Most Illinois community college auto-tech programs have added high-voltage safety training and intro EV-drivetrain content in the last few years; some offer dedicated EV-tech credentials. The dealer-specific programs (Ford ASSET-EV, GM ASEP-EV) cover brand-specific procedures and are the strongest credential for EV-focused careers.
- Do I need an associate degree or just the diploma?
- For getting hired as a tech, the one-year diploma plus ASE certs is enough at most Illinois shops. The AAS adds business courses, management, and writing — useful if you eventually want to run your own shop or move into service-advisor / shop-foreman roles. Many techs come back for the AAS after a few years in the field.
Compare Automotive Technology programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Illinois’s automotive technology programs stack up.
Other programs in Illinois
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.