Academic Programs & Learning
How does Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL support student success? Retention rates, FTE analysis, and more.
What About Academic Quality at Prairie State College?
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Average students per faculty member
Full-Time Retention
55%
Students continuing to second year
Part-Time Retention
52%
Part-time students continuing
How Prairie State College Compares
Retention at Prairie State College runs at 55%, fairly typical for the trade-college space. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio suggests an institution operating at familiar academic-quality benchmarks rather than pushing them.
Understanding Academic Quality Metrics
Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 11:1 means there are approximately 11 students for every faculty member. This low ratio typically allows for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes.
Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.
Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 20% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.
Who Teaches at Prairie State College?
Tenure Status
Academic Ranks
Understanding Faculty Composition
Prairie State College employs 80 instructional staff across a range of academic ranks. About 5% hold tenured positions, providing institutional stability and academic continuity.
Where Do Online Students at Prairie State College Come From?
Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)
Where exclusively-online students are located
About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.
96% of Prairie State College's exclusively online students are located in IL. The school primarily serves local online learners.
What Is the Academic Load at Prairie State College?
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis
FTE Analysis
Study Intensity:79.8% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time
Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.
The FTE calculation at Prairie State College provides a normalized enrollment figure — useful for understanding how many students are engaged on a full-time basis.
How Intensively Do Students Study at Prairie State College?
Student Enrollment Intensity
The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.
A mix of full-time and part-time students, offering flexibility for those balancing work, family, and education.
FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.
FTE Ratio Scale
Enrollment intensity at Prairie State College sits at 0.80 — a measure of how much of the student body is enrolled full-time versus part-time.
Academic Support & Resources
Academic Advising
Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.
Student Success Services
Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.
For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact Prairie State College directly at 7087093500 or visit their website .
Key Academic Highlights
- Student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 supports personalized learning
- 80 instructional staff with 5% holding tenured positions
- Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
- Online students primarily from IL (96% in-state)
Ready to Learn More About Academics at Prairie State College?
Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.