For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Illinois is $14,133 for Illinois residents and $19,475 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Illinois, the average tuition & fees are $32,860 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Illinois is $13,127 for Illinois residents and $19,214 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Illinois, the average graduate tuition is $21,816.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $16,520 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $16,518. 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 $31,987 for residents and $37,329 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $50,610. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $11,376 for Illinois residents and $13,411 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 | $31,987 | $37,329 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $50,610 | |
| Community Colleges | $11,376 | $13,411 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Illinois, 226 out of 245 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 63 public and 144 private colleges in Illinois.
The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Illinois is $14,133 for Illinois residents and $19,475 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $31,311
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $9,878 for residents and $11,914 for out-of-state students.
| Illinois Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $14,133 | $19,475 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $31,311 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $9,878 | $11,914 |
| 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 $10,191 for Illinois residents and $16,100 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $20,631
| Illinois Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $10,191 | $16,100 |
| Private Schools | $20,631 | |
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 $418 for Illinois residents and $537 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,192
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $472 for Illinois residents and $702 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $992
| Illinois Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $418 | $537 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,192 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $326 | $403 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $472 | $702 |
| Private Schools | $992 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Illinois
At colleges in Illinois, the average living cost is $16,520 when a student lives on campus facility and $16,518 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $16,636 | $15,967 |
| Private Schools | $16,489 | $16,974 |
