About
Triton College is an institution of higher education dedicated to student success. Located 14 miles from downtown Chicago, the school offers outstanding educational value in a student-centered setting rich in academic and cultural resources, career-oriented learning opportunities, and engaging social activities.
Triton’s attractive 110-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities, thriving arts and athletics programs and a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. Our culturally diverse community of students, faculty and staff collaborates to promote integrity, open dialog, teamwork and mutual respect, while striving for excellence in all that we do.
We empower success in life-changing ways. Our degree and certificate programs feature practical courses and flexible scheduling options. Triton transfer students are readily accepted into colleges and universities nationwide. Career program students learn skills needed to succeed in a highly competitive job market that will allow them to make significant contributions to business and industry. Continuing Education students participate in courses geared toward recreation, personal enrichment, workforce development and lifelong learning.
More than 10,000 students enroll at Triton each year, yet every student receives ample individual attention in small, accessible classes. Our highly qualified faculty combines distinguished academic credentials with valuable real-world experience. Tuition is extremely affordable and financial assistance and scholarships are available.
Triton College Fact Sheet
Triton College Fact Book
To learn more about what makes Triton unique, read The Triton Difference.
Triton's District
Founded in 1964, Triton College, a comprehensive public community college, is located in western Cook County and serves the near western suburbs of Chicago. Triton is one of more than 48 community colleges in the state of Illinois. It operates under the direction of the Illinois Community College Board, with accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
At its founding, Triton served three townships, Proviso, Leyden and Elmwood Park. Initially utilizing facilities at West Leyden and Proviso West high schools, Triton celebrated its first permanent structure in 1967 with a groundbreaking ceremony for its Technology Building. By the summer of 1969, all Triton classes were being held on the current 110-acre main campus located in River Grove, IL. Oak Park-River Forest, Riverside-Brookfield and Ridgewood school districts voted to join the Leyden, Proviso and Elmwood Park school districts in 1972, creating Illinois Community College District 504.
Today the district encompasses approximately 63 square miles, and the college serves approximately 343,000 people residing in 25 demographically and culturally diverse towns and villages. The main campus is comprised of 16 individual buildings which house the Triton College Library, a Fine Arts Gallery, athletic and recreational facilities, the Educational Technology Resource Center, the Triton College Performing Arts Center and the Cernan Earth and Space Center.
Triton's affordable tuition and open admission policy have greatly expanded the accessibility of post-secondary education to residents of the district. Currently, Triton College offers more than 150 combined associate degree and certificate programs. New educational programs and services are constantly being developed in order to meet the needs of district residents and employers. Triton classes are offered at the main campus in River Grove, several extension sites throughout the district, as well as online.
Source: Report of the Institutional Self-Study for Reaffirmation of Accreditation submitted to the Higher Learning Commission, Tenth Day Report and Triton College Catalog.
Hispanic Serving Institution
Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) are accredited, degree-granting, not for profit institutions of higher education with a full-time undergraduate student enrollment that is at least 25% Latinx. Eligibility designation as an HSI is provided under Title V of the Higher Education Act. In 2017, 13.8 percent of postsecondary institutions were designated as HSIs.
In 2011, Triton College was designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education. Today, Triton serves a 42 percent Hispanic student population. For more information, read Triton’s Fact Book.
The Triton Difference
Triton College is committed to empowering your success in life-changing ways. Our positive learning environment prepares students to effectively compete in our global economy, realize their career aspirations, and achieve personal growth.
What sets Triton College apart?
Academic Excellence
Triton College features small class sizes and a wide range of quality, real-world focused programs that provide a pathway to completing your degree at a four-year university, obtaining a well-paying job, or advancing in your career. Hands-on learning experiences in degree, certificate, continuing education, and adult education programs promote achievement.
Accomplished Faculty
Our faculty brings many years of professional and teaching experience to their classrooms. Placing a priority on engaging students with practical knowledge, faculty members use proven instructional methods to bring content to life. They also participate in ongoing professional development to share successful teaching approaches and best practices that will help students meet and complete course requirements.
Easily Transferable Credits
Most four-year institutions around the country accept Triton's college credit courses as transfer credit. You can stay close to home while meeting your general education requirements at Triton, then transfer these credits to another university to complete your degree.
Student-Centered Environment
Triton is a vibrant and diverse community that promotes learning and achievement. State-of-the-art facilities, support services, and flexible class scheduling options provide students of all ages with opportunities and resources to excel and gain important skills for succeeding in life. Extra-curricular student clubs, organizations and activities offer many ways to get involved with our unique community on- and off-campus.
Exceptional Value
When you complete your studies at Triton, you can be confident that you will receive a positive return on your investment. Triton College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, an important distinction that employers look for when hiring prospective employees. Triton's affordable tuition offers significant annual savings compared to other colleges and universities, and financial assistance is available.
With all that Triton College has to offer, why spend more to attend college elsewhere? All the advantages you are looking for are right here!
General Education Outcomes
The general education learning outcomes are achieved as a result of successful completion of the general education requirements for any degree program. The outcomes state that upon completion of a degree program, the student should be able to effectively:
Critical Thinking
Explore issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
Communication
Develop and express ideas in written or oral form.
Information Literacy
Identify, locate, evaluate, and responsibly use and share information.
Quantitative Literacy
Analyze and solve quantitative problems from a wide array of contexts.
Global Learning
Analyze and explore complex global challenges from diverse perspectives.
Triton's Mission & Vision
Mission Statement
Valuing the individual, educating and serving the community.
Vision Statement
A community with equitable opportunity for growth and success.