The United States of America is known for having exceptionally high yearly tuition fees at post-secondary institutions. In Illinois, tuition can range from the low $10,000s to the $40,000s for in-state and out-of-state students. Thankfully, many cheap universities in Illinois offer tuition rates on the lower end. This applies to the state, out-of-state, and international students.
Remember that any student can always apply for financial aid and various scholarships, which are best located on the university’s official website. These options, if granted, can cut down your tuition fees exponentially. These fees are presented as a per-year tuition rate and are offered in USD currency. Fees in this article are given at the undergraduate level only, so consult university websites for graduate rates.
Though costs are always higher for international students, the schools listed in this article present international rates that are that high compared to in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Affordable Schools in Illinois for International Students
1. Eastern Illinois University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $338.35 – $344.25/credit hour (In-State) | $338.35 – $826.20/credit hour (Out-State) | $422.94 – $826.20/credit hour (International)
Eastern Illinois University, founded in 1895 in Charleston, IL, offers 50 undergraduate degree programs, including a renowned teacher’s college program. With more than 150 recognized student organizations and various competitive sports teams, the institution provides a variety of multidisciplinary options both inside and outside the classroom.
Furthermore, EIU has a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:14 and an undergraduate enrollment of over 8,800. It has also ranked first in the state for preparing the most undergraduates to earn doctoral degrees and ranks internationally in the top five percent.
2. Chicago State University
Next on our list of cheap universities in Illinois is Chicago State University, a public university established in 1867. This university emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and is heavily focused on aiding and providing quality education to society’s underserved.
Chicago State University offers over 56 programs and eight academic areas: arts and sciences, business, education, health sciences, honors college, pharmacy school, first-year experience, and nontraditional programs. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:10, and its undergraduate enrollment is approximately 2,000.
3. Western Illinois University
Founded in 1899 and opened in 1902, Western Illinois University is a public university located in Macomb, IL. The Princeton Review has named Western Illinois as one of the “Best in the Midwest Colleges”.
Deemed a “military friendly” institution, this cheap university in Illinois offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, many of which are extremely unique, ranging from Fire Protection Services to Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management. With a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:13, its undergraduate enrollment is approximately 7,500.
4. National Louis University
Founded in 1886, National Louis University is a private university in Chicago, IL. NLU promotes itself as one of the “oldest and most progressive” universities in Chicago. It offers over 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The four colleges that offer degree programs include the National College of Education, the Undergraduate College, Kendall College, the College of Professional Studies and Advancement, the School of Nursing, the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, and the Graduate School of Business Leadership.
NLU is among the top 25 most diverse national universities. Its faculty-to-student ratio is 1:17, and its undergraduate enrollment is approximately 1,900. Washington Monthly also ranked it first in the Midwest for Best Bang for Your Buck in 2023 and 30th among national universities.
5. Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
Established in 1869, Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville is located on 2,660 acres of scenic woods, only over 20 miles from St. Louis. With more than 12,500 students worldwide, SIUE has a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:19 and offers various degree programs in the arts, sciences, education, business, nursing, health, engineering, and more.
The various degree programs are offered through its different schools and colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Dental Medicine, School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, School of Engineering, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, and Graduate School. Moreover, Washington Monthly named this public doctoral university in Illinois one of the “Best Bang for Your Buck” universities in the Midwest.
6. University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution in Chicago with over 30,000 students and one of the top 50 most innovative universities, according to the U.S. News & World Report. Established in 1965, the school values diversity and has 94 bachelor’s programs. UIC was founded initially as a series of private health colleges in the 19th century.
Housing the largest medical school in the USA, UIC is the only public research university in Chicago, with over 200 organizations and clubs for students to explore. With a 1:18 faculty-to-student ratio, its undergraduate enrollment in 2023 was approximately more than 33,000.
7. Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale is next on our list of most affordable institutions in Illinois. It is also predominantly known as a public research library and is ranked in the top five percent of research universities or higher education institutes in the U.S. SIUC is known for awarding over $10 million in scholarships and over $60 million in external grants yearly.
With a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:11, small class sizes ensure that each student receives adequate personal assistance and attention from their faculty. The total undergraduate enrollment is around 11,359. Moreover, SIUC offers over 200 famous major and minor degree programs, such as law, education, engineering, psychology, healthcare management, etc.
8. Lincoln Land Community College
Located in the heart of Illinois, Lincoln Land Community College is considered one of the most extensive community college districts in Illinois. It covers over 4,000 square miles across 15 counties in central Illinois and has outreach centers all around the district. This institution also offers dozens of appealing courses and degrees.
Students can find their true calling at this school through programs such as fire science technology and horticulture & cultivation. Furthermore, while studying at Lincoln Land Community College, students experience living in the capital of Illinois – Springfield – which is filled with various attractions and entertainment that the students can explore in their spare time.
9. Richland Community College
Richland Community College provides educational services to its district through its main campus, located in Decatur, and two extension sites. With its 155 acres of land mass, this cheap higher institution allows students to explore rural life while studying. It offers over 80 specialized courses, accreditations, and degrees in various fields, like general studies, career and technical education, and more.
Furthermore, the college provides English as a Second Language or ESL classes, which can be helpful to international students. RCC provides financial assistance to students who might need it through scholarships and grants, military tuition assistance, and student loans. In 2018, the state of Illinois awarded the school a workforce development grant of $1.5 million.
10. Highland Community College
Highland Community College, founded in 1858 as Highland University, was the first college in Kansas. Established in 1962, this community college’s only campus is Freeport, but specific courses, such as nursing, are also provided in different locations, depending on availability.
Highland Community College offers associate degrees in various disciplines, such as nursing or engineering. It is also well-known for its basketball team, which is among the top 10 nationwide. Students at Highland enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester are eligible for a complimentary membership at the nearby YMCA, the college’s sports facility.
11. Southeastern Illinois College
Offering over 50 certificates and degree programs, Southeastern Illinois College is a desirable option for prospective students. At $110 per credit hour, SIC keeps tuition inexpensive compared to other institutions in the state. Moreover, its location is one of its main perks since students can explore urban surroundings in their free time. With a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, small class numbers and faculty-initiated creative labs allow for more hands-on learning and stimulating discussion with the students.
This cheap community college in Illinois is also home to a nationally recognized forensics and debate team. In addition to academia, the college offers a broad selection of extracurricular activities, such as social clubs or sports teams.
12. Rend Lake College
Founded in 1955 as Mt. Vernon Community College, Rend Lake College changed its name in 1966 upon being formally formed under the Illinois Junior College Act. It has been in operation since 1967. From 1969 onwards, it has maintained its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The Aspen Institute has consistently ranked RLC among the nation’s top 150 colleges from the College Excellence Program.
This cheap college in Illinois offers nearly 50 degree programs and is accredited in various fields with a high retention percentage, which is an impressive perk for prospective students. Moreover, it provides dual-credit enrollment, which allows its students to complete high school while attending college classes.
13. Danville Area Community College
While Danville Area Community College was initially founded in 1946 as an extension center of the University of Illinois, it became a public junior college in 1949 under the Danville Public Schools and changed its name to Danville Junior College in 1951. Danville Area Community College was the new name after a 1979 rebranding to reflect the college’s operations better.
This affordable institution offers over 100 areas of study, including degrees, certificates, occupational courses, and various self-improvement classes. To keep classes accessible, the school also offers courses online, at night, and in different district places. Moreover, due to popular demand, this college has a unique campus designed for career-preparatory courses.
14. Morton College
Morton College was established in 1924, making it the second-oldest community college in Illinois. It is located in Cicero and offers various degrees, certificates, and professional education programs, such as fire prevention and welding. The school has eight departments providing the programs: communications, health occupations, business technologies, mathematics, science, humanities and fine arts, career technical education, and social and behavioral sciences.
In addition, this higher education institution provides multiple financial aid and support to its students through grants, loans, scholarships, and student work-study programs to pursue their academic and career aspirations, making it one of the top choices for community colleges in this state.
15. Lake Land College
Our next cheap college in Illinois is Lake Land College, which offers diverse programs, such as radio broadcasting, fire science management, paramedical services, computer applications, and more. More than 150 courses are available online. This two-year community college allows its graduates to pursue further education at a university level or find immediate employment. Furthermore, it offers various sports teams and activities for students to pursue alongside their education.
The institution is also well-known for actively participating in NJCAA-sanctioned sports tournaments. Lake Land’s softball and women’s basketball programs are undoubtedly the school’s most successful, with its continuous NJCAA National Tournament appearances and winning the NJCAA National Championship in 2021.
16. Kaskaskia College
In rural Centralia, Kaskaskia College is committed to providing life-long learning and engaging its growing community. Since its establishment in 1940, the school has served all nine neighboring counties. It enrolls over 7,800 students yearly and has a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
The institution offers over 40 degree programs and 103 certificates in occupational areas, such as engineering, cosmetology, welding, culinary arts, agriculture, and more practical-based programs. Over 35% of the college’s students receive some financial assistance, with approximately $7.2 million distributed in overall aid and $1.2 million in institutional scholarships distributed each year.
17. Carl Sandburg College
Serving the west-central Illinois region, Carl Sandburg College offers over 40 continuing educational degree programs, occupational certificates, and many other forms of qualification. Since it’s a relatively small institution with a student body of around 2,000, the teaching staff is devoted to providing the best education possible. Moreover, this affordable school in Illinois offers various extracurricular opportunities for its students, such as basketball teams or debate clubs.
Illinois is a state that houses many cheap universities, including the above options and more, for students across the globe. Remember, though, that fees may be subject to future change per the institution’s rules and standards. The fees listed above do not always reflect the costs of residence and other expenditures, so consult the official university website for the most accurate fees, depending on your situation and the year you are applying for.
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in Illinois was helpful. If you are interested in studying in the United States, visit our Study in the USA page and check out the Available Programs for International Students in the USA !
