Our invite-only Ascend program provides students with a pathway to one of Illinois Tech’s 50+ undergraduate degree programs! Select students will spend their Ascend year with one of our partner institutions earning credit towards their degree. Upon successful completion of their Ascend year, students will matriculate as a full-time student at Illinois Tech in Chicago to complete their degree.
Each Ascend format is tailored to fit the needs and interests of different students across the world. Learn more below!
| Ascend Chicago | Ascend Online | |
| Why Chicago? Ascend Chicago offers scholars a pathway to start their studies in Chicago and take advantage of our urban environment at an affordable tuition rate. | Why Online? Ascend Online offers students a chance to kickstart their education from anywhere in the world – on their own terms and by their own schedule. | |
| Eligibility | Invite-only | Invite-only |
| Location | In-person, Chicago | Online, anywhere |
| Partner Institutions | City Colleges of Chicago | University of Pittsburgh (Outlier) |
| Duration of Ascend program | 1 year | 1 semester or 1 year |
| Credit Hour Requirement | 12-15 credit hours (4-5 courses) per semester; 30 credit hours total | 12-15 credit hours total (4-5 courses) |
| Program Costs | See City Colleges of Chicago tuition and fees | $4650 per course |
| Illinois Tech Merit Scholarship Available for Ascend Year* | No | Yes |
| Federal or State Aid (via FAFSA) Available for Ascend Year* | Yes | No |
| Courses Available | Over 100+ courses to choose from. See course catalog. | Choose from 10 courses available across math, computer science, social science,and humanities |
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*Ascend year refers to the two semesters during which the student is taking courses at a partner institution or through Outlier