Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois (2025)

Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois (2024)

The cost of a college degree can be a formidable obstacle for many students.

The cheapest colleges in Illinois offer students the same great education at reduced tuition rates.

Find out more about affordable programs that are supporting students' personal and professional goals with affordable programs.

List of Cheap Colleges in Illinois

Here are some of the cheapest colleges in Illinois that offer high-quality degrees.

1. Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University allows students to earn a respected degree while minimizing out-of-pocket costs.

Tuition costs $330 per credit hour for students from Illinois or bordering states. All undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA qualify for the in-state rate.

The non-resident rate is $412 per credit hour. The tuition rate is guaranteed for the duration of each student's studies.

2. Chicago State University

Chicago State University is an attractive choice for a high-quality, low-cost education.

Undergraduate tuition costs $335 per credit hour at the in-state rate and $664 for non-residents.

All tuition rates are guaranteed for six years from the date of enrollment. Veterans or children of veterans may be eligible for reduced tuition rates.

3. Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University is an affordable institution that offers a diverse range of college degrees.

Tuition costs $12,504 per academic year and students can lock in the tuition rate they start with. The Husky Pledge can cover the cost of tuition for first-year students from Illinois.

The Rockford Promise covers tuition and fees for students who graduate from high schools local to the university.

4. National Louis University

National Louis University is another strong choice for a cost-effective undergraduate degree.

Students from anywhere in the country will pay $12,333 per year and international students are charged $19,350 per year.

The Community Heroes program offers additional scholarships to military members, first responders, and their families.

5. Western Illinois University

Illinois students looking for an exceptional education at a reasonable rate should consider Western Illinois University.

Students from any state will pay $326 per credit hour making the program an affordable option.

The President's Scholarship covers 100% of tuition costs for qualifying freshman students.

Departmental scholarships are available for nearly every program of study and few students pay the full cost of tuition.

6. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville offers a range of comprehensive programs at affordable rates.

U.S. residents will pay $9,576 per academic year and the tuition rate is guaranteed for four years.

The Cougar Pride Scholarship can award students with a 3.0 GPA up to $16,000 over the course of a bachelor's degree.

7. University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois Springfield is a well-respected public university that offers inexpensive college degrees.

The base tuition rate for Illinois students is $9,645 per year. The non-resident rate is $19,410 per year.

Tuition for online degrees is $11,025 for all students and all tuition rates are guaranteed not to rise while students are completing their degrees.

The Prairie Promise program can cover the full cost of tuition for some incoming students.

8. Moody Bible Institute

Moody Bible Institute (MBI) is an affordable choice for students interested in attending a faith-based university.

MBI works on a tuition-paid model meaning all tuition costs for on-campus programs are covered by donors. Students are still responsible for room and board costs.

Tuition for online undergraduate degrees costs $399 per credit hour.

9. Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University's degrees are designed to give students an excellent return on their investment.

The in-state tuition rate is $10,343 per academic year.

The NEIU For You program can cover the cost of tuition for four years for students from families that make less than $60,000 per year.

Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher can apply for the President's scholarship and save on tuition.

10. University of Illinois Chicago

The University of Illinois Chicago allows students to gain valuable knowledge and skills in a range of exciting programs.

The base tuition rate is $11,178 however additional fees may be assessed depending on the program of study.

Tuition for out-of-state students is $26,200 per year. International students will pay $28,160 per year.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost?

Students exploring the cheapest colleges in Illinois should know the average cost of a college degree in Illinois.

Public universities charge an average of $14,455 per year at the in-state rate. Out-of-state students pay an average of $29,515.

Private universities in Illinois charge an average of $35,570 per year for undergraduate degrees.

Thankfully, students rarely pay the full advertised tuition cost due to forms of financial aid.

How To Make College Affordable

Choosing an affordable program and maximizing sources of financial aid. Be sure to work with the financial aid team at any university to explore every possible avenue for sources of funding.

Students should understand the main types of financial aid and how they can qualify for as much funding as possible.

Need-based Funding

Need-based funding is usually determined by the income of the student's family. Students will almost always have to fill out the FAFSA form to determine their expected family contribution.

Need-based grants and scholarships can be a great way for students from lower-income backgrounds to gain access to valuable college degrees.

Merit-based Funding

Merit-based funding is awarded on the basis of some achievement. For example, students with a sufficiently high GPA or SAT/ACT scores will often qualify for academic merit scholarships.

Other Institutional Funding

Many universities also give out grants or scholarships to incoming freshmen, transfer students, or adult students completing degrees.

Do Cheap Colleges in Illinois Offer High-Quality Education?

Yes, the quality of a college degree is not directly linked to the cost of tuition. Many factors influence tuition prices.

Universities undergo a rigorous accreditation process that sets a quality standard for all programs regardless of the price.

In-State Vs. Out-of-State Tuition Rates

Public universities are typically cheaper than private programs, however, to qualify for lower in-state tuition rates students usually need to have established residency in the state.

Out-of-state tuition rates at public universities are typically similar to the tuition costs at private universities.

Find an Affordable College in Illinois Today

Don't wait to start a life-changing education at one of the cheapest colleges in Illinois. Affordable degrees can create new professional opportunities with minimal financial stress.