For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Illinois is $13,730 for Illinois residents and $19,559 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Illinois, the average tuition & fees are $32,380 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Illinois is $12,679 for Illinois residents and $19,214 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Illinois, the average graduate tuition is $22,457.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $16,583 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $16,506. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.
You can compare all Illinois colleges in various ways:
Average Cost of Attendance (COA)
In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2025 average COA of the four-year colleges in Illinois is $31,563 for residents and $37,392 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $50,236. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $11,505 for Illinois residents and $13,552 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2025 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
| Illinois Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $31,563 | $37,392 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $50,236 | |
| Community Colleges | $11,505 | $13,552 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Illinois, 221 out of 241 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 60 public and 141 private colleges in Illinois. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Illinois is $10,320 for Illinois residents and $16,149 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $31,368
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $9,363 for residents and $11,410 for out-of-state students.
| Illinois Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $10,320 | $16,149 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $31,368 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $9,363 | $11,410 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $18,556 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In Illinois, 84 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Illinois is $9,565 for Illinois residents and $16,100 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $21,662
| Illinois Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $9,565 | $16,100 |
| Private Schools | $21,662 | |
Tuition per Credit Hour
The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in Illinois is $381 for Illinois residents and $537 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,193
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $452 for Illinois residents and $714 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $1,440
| Illinois Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $381 | $537 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,193 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $327 | $405 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $452 | $714 |
| Private Schools | $1,440 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Illinois
At colleges in Illinois, the average living cost is $16,583 when a student lives on campus facility and $16,506 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $16,616 | $15,960 |
| Private Schools | $16,574 | $16,958 |
