Oakton College is a public community college with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie, Illinois. It serves Illinois Community College District 535, which encompasses several north and northwest suburbs of Chicago, including Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette, and Winnetka.
The institution was established in 1969 and began its first semester of instruction in 1970. For much of its history, it was known as Oakton Community College. In early 2023, the institution officially rebranded as Oakton College to reflect its evolving educational mission and community role, though it remains a public two-year institution within the Illinois community college system.
Oakton College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It offers more than 80 areas of study, granting Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, as well as various professional certificates. The curriculum includes programs in the liberal arts, health careers, business, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. The college also provides workforce development, adult education, and continuing education services.
The college operates two main physical locations: the 147-acre Des Plaines campus, which features the Koehnline Museum of Art and is situated adjacent to a forest preserve, and the Ray Hartstein Campus in Skokie. The institution is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees elected by the residents of the district, supplemented by one student trustee.