Illinois Community Colleges
Mathematics Programs
Mathematics coursework at community colleges in this state. College algebra, precalculus, calculus, and statistics for transfer to four-year programs.
16 colleges · 939 sections · 216 unique courses · Fall 2026
Math is among the most consequential coursework students take at Illinois community colleges — both because it gates progress into many degrees (nursing, engineering, business) and because it's the most-failed subject for community college students nationally. 16 Illinois Community Colleges institutions offer 939 sections this term, from developmental algebra through Calculus III, statistics, and discrete math.
The math associate as a standalone credential is rare — most students taking lots of math at CC are using it as pre-engineering, pre-CS, pre-actuarial, or pre-finance preparation. Compare colleges below by section availability (especially calculus, which not every CC offers locally) and online vs in-person options.
Colleges offering Mathematics
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | 160 | 26 | 65 | — | — |
| Oakton College | 140 | 27 | 38 | — | — |
| Parkland College | 101 | 18 | 23 | — | — |
| Waubonsee Community College | 92 | 23 | 24 | — | — |
| Triton College | 86 | 18 | 18 | — | — |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | 71 | 25 | — | — | — |
| McHenry County College | 65 | 20 | 21 | — | — |
| South Suburban College | 53 | 12 | 5 | — | — |
| Danville Area Community College | 41 | 17 | 14 | — | — |
| Morton College | 35 | 15 | — | — | — |
| Kankakee Community College | 28 | 18 | — | — | — |
| Shawnee Community College | 24 | 13 | 6 | — | — |
| Olney Central College | 14 | 10 | — | — | — |
| Lincoln Trail College | 11 | 9 | — | — | — |
| Frontier Community College | 9 | 8 | — | — | — |
| Wabash Valley College | 9 | 9 | — | — | — |
Mathematics Availability Snapshot
How mathematics sections are being offered across 16 colleges in Illinois this term (939 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person668 (71%)
- online214 (23%)
- hybrid57 (6%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)430
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)205
- Evening (5 PM and after)89
- Asynchronous / TBA215
Start dates
Sections begin on 26 distinct dates. 95 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 227 distinct instructors across 16 colleges.
Common Mathematics courses
- MAT 131Elementary Statistics(30 sections)
- MAT 085Intermediate Algebra for General Education(21 sections)
- MTH 093Pre-Algebra(20 sections)
- MAT 065Introductory Algebra(19 sections)
- MAT 070Elementary Algebra(19 sections)
- MATH 1218General Education Math(19 sections)
- MAT 072Mathematical Literacy(18 sections)
- MATH 0481Foundations for College Math I(18 sections)
- MAT 110College Trig(17 sections)
- MTH 107Basic Statistics(16 sections)
- MAT 095ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA(15 sections)
- MAT 102General Education Mathematics(13 sections)
Frequently asked questions
- Which math classes count for a four-year college?
- College Algebra, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Statistics, Calculus I/II/III, and Differential Equations transfer cleanly to Illinois four-year programs. Developmental math (pre-algebra, basic algebra) doesn't transfer but is often required to enter college-level math. Take the placement test before enrolling; many Illinois colleges now offer accelerated pathways that skip much of the developmental sequence.
- Can I take Calculus at a community college and transfer it cleanly?
- Yes — Calculus I, II, and III at any Illinois Community Colleges college articulate to the standard calculus sequence at Illinois four-year programs. This is one of the strongest CC value propositions: same content as the four-year, smaller class sizes, much lower tuition. Many engineering and physics majors intentionally take calculus at CC before transferring.
- What can I do with a math associate degree?
- Standalone: not much directly — entry roles for math-heavy careers (actuarial, statistician, data analyst) require a bachelor's. The associate is most valuable as the lower-division foundation for transfer to math, engineering, computer science, economics, or finance bachelor's programs.
- How do I know which math course to start with?
- Illinois community colleges use placement tests (Accuplacer, ALEKS, multiple-measures placement) or your high-school transcript GPA + most-recent math grade to place you. Most colleges allow you to challenge a higher placement. Talk to a math advisor before your first semester — placing too low costs time and tuition; placing too high causes a failed course.
Compare Mathematics 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 mathematics 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.