If you want to turn your passion for travel into a rewarding profession and you also have good communication and organizational skills, becoming a travel agent may be the right career choice for you.
This profession is projected to grow 2 percent across the nation over the next decade.
Although the ability to use online resources to research vacations may limit the need for travel agents, people are expected to continue relying on their services for advice.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents in Illinois earned $53,790 on average per year- higher than the national average for this profession.
You can become ready to start a career in this field by completing an online course and becoming certified.
University and college programs are available at local community colleges or universities.
Another path consists of earning professional certifications through The Travel Institute or joining an agency that provides training.
Your training will typically prepare you for tasks such as:
- Arranging travel for clients
- Determining clients’ schedules and budgets
- Finding fare and schedule information
- Booking reservations
- Giving details on required documents
- And more
Travel agents may also visit destinations to get firsthand experience with the places they recommend to clients.
We encourage you to read our list and find out more about the training options available to future travel agents in Illinois.
#1University of Illinois Springfield
About the School
The University of Illinois Springfield offers travel agent training that can be completed online, at each student’s pace.
The curriculum covers topics that range from travel foundations and geography to air travel, technology tools, and professional skills.
The 100-hour program can be completed fully online in six months and costs $ 2,368, including the exam fee.
Students receive a 12-month subscription to the platform Travefy.
The program gives you the opportunity to review all international and domestic travel destinations that are most likely to be recommended and sold to clients.
After completing the program, students gain a deep understanding of travel and tourism and the skills to help clients research, plan, and book their trips.
They also prepare for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
Courses Offered
Among other topics, the curriculum includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Transportation, Accommodations and Vacations
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
After completing the program, students become eligible to sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
Contact Information
- Address: One University Plaza, Springfield, IL 62703
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.uis.edu
#2College of DuPage
About the School
College of DuPage offers a Travel and Tourism program for individuals who want to enter the travel industry and for those who already work in the field but want to update their skills.
Students have the option of earning an Associate in Applied Science in Travel and Tourism or completing a variety of hospitality courses to earn a travel and tourism certificate.
Courses Offered
The following degrees, certificates, and programs are available:
- Travel and Tourism Associate in Applied Science
- Travel and Tourism Professional Certificate
- Travel and Tourism Foundations
Students who want to earn an A.A.S. degree take classes such as:
- Introduction to Travel and Tourism
- Itineraries and Tour Packages
- Cruise Industry Sales
- Hospitality Sales Management
- Law and the Hospitality Industry
- Travel Geography & Culture
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
- Phone: (630) 942-2800 (Main)
- Website: https://cod.edu
#3Ashworth College
About the School
Ashworth College offers a Travel Agent Career Diploma that can be earned online.
The programs and payment options are flexible.
Tuition is $799 if paid in full and $899 if paid monthly.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Travel Agent Orientation- students learn how to identify skills needed to be confident and independent online learners and how to describe a business plan
- Travel Geography- students learn skills such as:
- Locating world regions on a map
- Calculate time differences
- Describe airport hubs and their purpose.
- And more
- Types of Travel- students learn:
- The history of rail travel
- Car rentals in the US and abroad
- The principal cruise lines
- And more
- The Global Distribution System- students learn how to:
- Describe the GDS system.
- How to create a Passenger Name Record
- Describe travel agent communication.
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5051 Peachtree Corners Circle, Suite 200, Norcross, Georgia 30092
- Phone: 800-957-5412
- Website: https://www.ashworthcollege.edu
#4Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
About the School
Illinois Eastern Community College offers an online travel agent course designed to equip students with essential industry knowledge.
The 100-hour program can be completed fully online and costs $ 2,299, with exam cost included.
The curriculum covers essential industry topics, such as the fundamentals of the travel industry, key professional skills, international and destination geography, and more.
The cost includes the exam cost.
Students are also introduced to Travefy and receive a 12-month subscription to the platform.
The program gives them the opportunity to review all international and domestic travel destinations they are most likely to recommend and sell to clients.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Transportation, Accommodations and Vacations
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 305 N West Street, Olney, IL 62450
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.iecc.edu
#5Eastern Illinois University
About the School
Eastern Illinois University offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism.
The program includes a foundation of business or entrepreneurship courses and an industry-based internship.
Student learning objectives include:
- Communication skills for the hospitality and tourism industry
- Analyze programs and apply managerial solutions using quantitative reasoning concepts and critical thinking skills
- Values and social responsibility in a multicultural environment
- Functional and operational skills relevant to the hospitality and tourism industry
Contact Information
- Address: 1230 Old Main, 600 Lincoln Ave. Charleston, IL 61920
- Phone: 217-581-5000
- Website: https://www.eiu.edu
#6Western Illinois University
About the School
Western Illinois University offers a Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration graduate program.
The program teaches students how to design, deliver, and evaluate leisure experiences.
Students are able to complete the BS and MS in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration on the Macomb Campus and are able to complete core courses and some electives via livestream and asynchronous course delivery at the Quad Cities Campus.
The degree is designed to be flexible.
Courses Offered
Advanced coursework is available in:
- Leisure services administration
- Campus recreation
- Community recreation
- Park planning and management
- Programming for leisure services
- Tourism, hospitality, and event management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: Knoblauch Hall 140 / 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455 USA
- Phone: 309 298 1967
- Website: https://www.wiu.edu
#7University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign
About the School
University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign offers a Recreation, Sport, & Tourism Undergraduate program that teaches students to design, manage, and market ventures in the recreation, sport, and tourism industry.
The following areas of concentration are available:
- Recreation Management
- Sport Management
- Tourism Management
Courses Offered
Core courses include:
- Recreation, Sport and Tourism in Modern Society
- Orientation to Recreation, Sport and Tourism
- Leadership in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
- Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism
- Financial Resource Management in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
- Research Methods & Analysis
- And more
Those who choose a Tourism concentration take classes on:
- Foundations of Tourism
- Culture & Tourism
- Tourism Development Hours
Contact Information
- Address: 104 Huff Hall, 1206 South 4th Street, Champaign, IL 61820
- Phone: 217-333-4410
- Website: https://www.rst.illinois.edu
#8Southern Illinois University
About the School
Southern Illinois University offers a variety of Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management courses.
The university catalog includes:
- Introduction to Hospitality & Tourism
- Food Service Sanitation
- Cooking Fundamentals
- Hotel Administration
- Resort Management
- Digital Media Communications in Tourism
- Destination Management
- Field experience
- And more
A major in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management requires students to earn a minimum grade of C in each of the courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the Professional Core Requirement.
Students with special interests in Foodservice Management, Hotel Management, or Destination Management can take specific classes.
Contact Information
- Address: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901
- Phone: (618) 453-7653
- Website: https://siu.edu
#9Roosevelt University
About the School
Roosevelt University offers a Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management that prepares students to lead and innovate in hospitality, event and meeting planning, and tourism.
The program is available to all students at the Chicago campus.
The university has a partnership with industry leaders like Four Seasons, providing students the chance to work directly with partner staff as part of their regular coursework.
Students participate in intensive study, engage in creative problem-solving, and apply research methods to real issues and trends in the industry.
They learn about hotel management, restaurant management, and meeting and tourism.
Contact Information
- Address: 430 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
- Phone: (312) 341-3500
- Website: https://www.roosevelt.edu
#10The Travel Institute
About the School
The Travel Institute offers a Certified Travel Associate program that is available completely online.
The program can be completed by students at their own pace.
The certification is designed for working travel advisors who want to build credibility, improve client relationships, strengthen sales skills, and grow their business.
Students gain foundational cruise knowledge to help advisors understand cruise categories, itineraries, destinations, client matching, and positioning strategies.
The program explores new approaches to positioning and recommending today’s all-inclusive vacation experiences.
The institute also offers a North America: A Destination Specialist Course that costs $89.
This course covers the depth and variety of attractions and experiences in the United States and Canada.
The institute also offers a Hawaii: A Destination Specialist Course.
This course explains the uniqueness of the Hawaiian Islands by exploring major cities, attractions, culture, geography, transportation, and specialties of each.
This course costs $89.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Business ethics
- Business writing skills
- Customer service
- The art of listening and communications
- Time management
- Understanding customer needs
- Planning itineraries
- Selling cruises
- Touring the world
- Selling special interest travel
- Travel insurance
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 945 Concord St, Framingham, MA 01701
- Phone: 800.542.4282
- Website: https://www.thetravelinstitute.com
Schools Summary Table
Travel Agent Average Salary in Illinois
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$34K
|
|
|
$52K
|
|
|
$76K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in Illinois
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 2,570 | $53,930 | $25.93 | $83,350 | $35,080 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best travel agent schools in Illinois, it’s time to continue your research and apply for the program that best fits your budget, learning style, and career aspirations.
Take your time and make an informed decision.
