State cost ranking · DOE College Scorecard
Cheapest Colleges in Illinois
According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, 178 Illinois colleges ranked by average net price, what students actually paid after grant and scholarship aid, not the published sticker price.
- $1,672
- Cheapest net price
- $16,000
- Illinois median
- 178
- Schools ranked
Data updated June 2026 · IPEDS 2022–23 vintage
The list in one line
Joliet Junior College has the lowest average net price in Illinois at $1,672/year, and the state's median net price is 6% below the $17,083 national median across 4,942 schools.
- $1,672
- cheapest ranked net price
- $16,000
- Illinois median net price
- 59 public / 119 private
- schools in this ranking
- $13,660
- avg net price, <$30K income families
Average net price is the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, not counting loans that must be repaid. A very low figure at a specialty or religious institution can reflect a narrow enrollment mix rather than typical affordability, check the sector label and enrollment before comparing.
Sticker tuition and real net price diverge most at University of Chicago, where in-state published tuition of $70,662 falls to an average net price of $14,860 after aid, a $55,802 gap. This is the widest sticker-to-net-price gap among ranked Illinois schools, and a reminder that published tuition alone is a poor guide to what most admitted students actually pay.
Across all 178 ranked Illinois schools, 59 are public institutions and 119 are private (nonprofit or for-profit). Sector is shown next to every school below because a low sticker-adjacent price at a small religious, seminary, or specialty school can reflect an unusual enrollment mix rather than broad affordability, check enrollment and sector before drawing conclusions from rank alone.
Average net price also blends every income bracket into one figure, so a family's own bracket can land well above or below the number shown here. Federal reporting requires an institution to have enough surveyed aid recipients in a bracket before that bracket is published, so a very small school can show only a partial income-bracket breakdown even when its overall average net price is fully reported. Use the school's own profile page for the full income-bracket table before treating a single average as a personal cost estimate.
Illinois's 25 cheapest colleges by real net price
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joliet Junior College Joliet, IL · Public | $1,672 97% of the leader · rank #1 | $890 | $9,711 | $36,334 | 9,863 |
| 2 | Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby, IL · Public | $2,232 96% of the leader · rank #2 | $191 | $8,233 | $34,932 | 2,594 |
| 3 | Lake Land College Mattoon, IL · Public | $2,254 95% of the leader · rank #3 | $979 | $6,188 | $33,693 | 3,699 |
| 4 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, IL · Public | $2,829 94% of the leader · rank #4 | $2,710 | $9,500 | $34,943 | 11,144 |
| 5 | Trinity International University-Illinois Deerfield, IL · Private nonprofit | $2,835 94% of the leader · rank #5 | $1,242 | $26,082 | $41,545 | 852 |
| 6 | South Suburban College South Holland, IL · Public | $3,242 93% of the leader · rank #6 | $2,722 | - | $27,389 | 3,873 |
| 7 | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey, IL · Public | $3,349 93% of the leader · rank #7 | $721 | $6,751 | $35,365 | 4,196 |
| 8 | Spoon River College Canton, IL · Public | $3,415 93% of the leader · rank #8 | $1,915 | - | $34,424 | 1,225 |
| 9 | Carl Sandburg College Galesburg, IL · Public | $3,662 93% of the leader · rank #9 | $1,014 | $4,909 | $31,149 | 1,688 |
| 10 | Richland Community College Decatur, IL · Public | $3,741 92% of the leader · rank #10 | $3,303 | $8,256 | $32,459 | 2,214 |
| 11 | Triton College River Grove, IL · Public | $4,138 92% of the leader · rank #11 | $2,397 | $9,413 | $35,001 | 9,262 |
| 12 | Shawnee Community College Ullin, IL · Public | $4,162 92% of the leader · rank #12 | $3,792 | - | $27,902 | 1,142 |
| 13 | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, IL · Public | $4,299 91% of the leader · rank #13 | $1,079 | $11,011 | $33,145 | 5,238 |
| 14 | Kishwaukee College Malta, IL · Public | $4,574 91% of the leader · rank #14 | $2,477 | $9,395 | $32,532 | 2,807 |
| 15 | Kankakee Community College Kankakee, IL · Public | $4,665 91% of the leader · rank #15 | $4,061 | $9,969 | $33,835 | 2,404 |
| 16 | Prairie State College Chicago Heights, IL · Public | $4,738 90% of the leader · rank #16 | $3,546 | $11,000 | $30,388 | 3,045 |
| 17 | Danville Area Community College Danville, IL · Public | $4,777 90% of the leader · rank #17 | $3,725 | $7,218 | $34,443 | 2,149 |
| 18 | Oakton College Des Plaines, IL · Public | $5,183 90% of the leader · rank #18 | $3,847 | $5,250 | $38,528 | 7,032 |
| 19 | Morton College Cicero, IL · Public | $5,191 90% of the leader · rank #19 | $4,006 | $8,000 | $34,053 | 3,653 |
| 20 | Rock Valley College Rockford, IL · Public | $5,242 89% of the leader · rank #20 | $3,409 | $8,500 | $34,774 | 5,480 |
| 21 | John A Logan College Carterville, IL · Public | $5,541 89% of the leader · rank #21 | $4,813 | - | $29,460 | 3,120 |
| 22 | Highland Community College Freeport, IL · Public | $5,713 89% of the leader · rank #22 | $3,598 | $8,029 | $33,425 | 1,369 |
| 23 | Elgin Community College Elgin, IL · Public | $6,026 88% of the leader · rank #23 | $5,089 | $7,390 | $39,007 | 9,614 |
| 24 | Rosel School of Cosmetology Niles, IL · Private for-profit | $6,062 88% of the leader · rank #24 | $5,782 | - | $16,312 | 14 |
| 25 | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL · Public | $6,375 87% of the leader · rank #25 | $5,645 | $6,500 | $33,808 | 7,789 |
See all 178 ranked Illinois schools →
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Kaskaskia College Centralia, IL · Public | $6,477 87% of the leader · rank #26 | $5,636 | $3,750 | $33,095 | 3,447 |
| 27 | Black Hawk College Moline, IL · Public | $6,944 86% of the leader · rank #27 | $4,369 | $8,375 | $34,022 | 3,853 |
| 28 | McHenry County College Crystal Lake, IL · Public | $7,042 86% of the leader · rank #28 | $5,609 | $6,260 | $36,496 | 9,051 |
| 29 | John Wood Community College Quincy, IL · Public | $7,050 86% of the leader · rank #29 | $5,899 | $8,029 | $35,052 | 1,866 |
| 30 | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago, IL · Public | $7,220 85% of the leader · rank #30 | $6,712 | $8,375 | $26,891 | 8,011 |
| 31 | City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Chicago, IL · Public | $7,397 85% of the leader · rank #31 | $6,911 | $5,750 | $29,483 | 5,859 |
| 32 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL · Public | $7,401 85% of the leader · rank #32 | $4,032 | $10,410 | $38,925 | 23,216 |
| 33 | College of Lake County Grayslake, IL · Public | $7,607 85% of the leader · rank #33 | $6,096 | $8,735 | $36,407 | 12,290 |
| 34 | Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $7,626 85% of the leader · rank #34 | - | - | - | 88 |
| 35 | City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College Chicago, IL · Public | $7,863 84% of the leader · rank #35 | $7,362 | $6,997 | $30,439 | 6,185 |
| 36 | City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Chicago, IL · Public | $7,886 84% of the leader · rank #36 | $6,925 | $4,500 | $31,509 | 5,836 |
| 37 | Creative Touch Cosmetology School Waterloo, IL · Private for-profit | $8,035 84% of the leader · rank #37 | $8,026 | - | - | 21 |
| 38 | Parkland College Champaign, IL · Public | $8,048 84% of the leader · rank #38 | $7,659 | $8,548 | $34,215 | 6,018 |
| 39 | Cannella School of Hair Design-Villa Park Villa Park, IL · Private for-profit | $8,354 83% of the leader · rank #39 | $7,264 | - | $18,633 | 43 |
| 40 | Sauk Valley Community College Dixon, IL · Public | $8,493 83% of the leader · rank #40 | $5,027 | $8,250 | $35,185 | 1,433 |
| 41 | Estelle Medical Academy Skokie, IL · Private for-profit | $8,628 83% of the leader · rank #41 | $8,628 | $5,657 | $24,165 | 64 |
| 42 | City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College Chicago, IL · Public | $9,038 82% of the leader · rank #42 | $8,527 | $7,646 | $23,378 | 2,747 |
| 43 | Rend Lake College Ina, IL · Public | $9,187 82% of the leader · rank #43 | $8,424 | $5,809 | $29,814 | 1,871 |
| 44 | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College Chicago, IL · Public | $9,494 81% of the leader · rank #44 | $9,332 | $6,180 | $22,119 | 2,780 |
| 45 | Capri Beauty College Oak Forest, IL · Private for-profit | $9,678 81% of the leader · rank #45 | $9,678 | $9,833 | $19,302 | 32 |
| 46 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL · Public | $9,833 80% of the leader · rank #46 | $5,778 | $19,128 | $47,432 | 4,661 |
| 47 | Pivot Point Academy Bloomingdale, IL · Private for-profit | $9,920 80% of the leader · rank #47 | $8,996 | $9,833 | $22,323 | 113 |
| 48 | Olney Central College Olney, IL · Public | $10,092 80% of the leader · rank #48 | $9,365 | $6,500 | $34,213 | 880 |
| 49 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL · Public | $10,427 79% of the leader · rank #49 | $9,136 | $6,908 | $30,872 | 7,955 |
| 50 | Steven Papageorge Hair Academy Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $10,721 78% of the leader · rank #50 | - | - | $21,758 | 68 |
| 51 | Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Peru Peru, IL · Private for-profit | $10,866 78% of the leader · rank #51 | $10,866 | $9,833 | $22,718 | 60 |
| 52 | Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $10,970 78% of the leader · rank #52 | $7,572 | $22,223 | $50,784 | 3,457 |
| 53 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL · Public | $10,974 78% of the leader · rank #53 | $7,529 | $16,704 | $53,218 | 33,522 |
| 54 | Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford Rockford, IL · Private for-profit | $11,174 78% of the leader · rank #54 | $11,174 | $9,833 | $18,716 | 101 |
| 55 | Southeastern Illinois College Harrisburg, IL · Public | $11,437 77% of the leader · rank #55 | $10,895 | - | $29,254 | 1,392 |
| 56 | Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, IL · Public | $11,442 77% of the leader · rank #56 | $7,360 | $7,000 | $39,016 | 8,324 |
| 57 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, IL · Public | $11,607 77% of the leader · rank #57 | $9,446 | $10,184 | $40,035 | 13,069 |
| 58 | Oehrlein School of Cosmetology East Peoria, IL · Private for-profit | $11,671 77% of the leader · rank #58 | $8,683 | $9,833 | $18,769 | 67 |
| 59 | Dominican University River Forest, IL · Private nonprofit | $11,745 76% of the leader · rank #59 | $9,759 | $24,411 | $47,907 | 3,424 |
| 60 | Gem City College Quincy, IL · Private for-profit | $11,843 76% of the leader · rank #60 | $9,735 | $9,833 | $18,527 | 42 |
| 61 | Heartland Community College Normal, IL · Public | $12,013 76% of the leader · rank #61 | $9,593 | $7,826 | $35,616 | 4,795 |
| 62 | Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology Dekalb, IL · Private for-profit | $12,133 76% of the leader · rank #62 | $10,544 | $7,917 | $26,171 | 65 |
| 63 | Larry's Barber College Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $12,165 76% of the leader · rank #63 | $12,566 | $3,945 | $11,598 | 81 |
| 64 | Governors State University University Park, IL · Public | $12,329 75% of the leader · rank #64 | $9,563 | $18,618 | $45,435 | 4,337 |
| 65 | Chicago State University Chicago, IL · Public | $12,335 75% of the leader · rank #65 | $9,073 | $30,625 | $33,805 | 2,324 |
| 66 | Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling Sterling, IL · Private for-profit | $12,391 75% of the leader · rank #66 | $12,391 | $9,833 | $18,716 | 57 |
| 67 | Cannella School of Hair Design-Chicago Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $12,419 75% of the leader · rank #67 | $11,940 | - | $21,868 | 60 |
| 68 | National Louis University Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $12,641 75% of the leader · rank #68 | $12,462 | $19,750 | $43,562 | 8,270 |
| 69 | Ms Roberts Academy of Beauty Culture Hillside, IL · Private for-profit | $12,747 74% of the leader · rank #69 | $12,747 | - | - | 57 |
| 70 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL · Public | $12,786 74% of the leader · rank #70 | $9,828 | $21,500 | $42,694 | 8,804 |
| 71 | Cameo Beauty Academy Oak Lawn, IL · Private for-profit | $12,924 74% of the leader · rank #71 | $12,924 | $10,929 | $17,987 | 87 |
| 72 | Western Illinois University Macomb, IL · Public | $12,937 74% of the leader · rank #72 | $6,941 | $25,251 | $43,057 | 7,073 |
| 73 | Illinois Central College East Peoria, IL · Public | $12,961 74% of the leader · rank #73 | $10,000 | $8,900 | $32,988 | 7,578 |
| 74 | Taylor Business Institute Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $12,982 74% of the leader · rank #74 | $12,982 | - | $19,077 | 172 |
| 75 | University of St Francis Joliet, IL · Private nonprofit | $13,006 74% of the leader · rank #75 | $8,547 | $21,079 | $56,648 | 3,185 |
| 76 | Fox College Tinley Park, IL · Private for-profit | $13,109 74% of the leader · rank #76 | $6,702 | $16,209 | $40,654 | 239 |
| 77 | Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy Joliet, IL · Private for-profit | $13,273 73% of the leader · rank #77 | $13,655 | - | $20,060 | 58 |
| 78 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL · Public | $13,297 73% of the leader · rank #78 | $9,415 | $21,543 | $43,087 | 11,359 |
| 79 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL · Public | $13,391 73% of the leader · rank #79 | $10,126 | $22,162 | $46,113 | 15,504 |
| 80 | Larry's Barber College Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $13,471 73% of the leader · rank #80 | $13,471 | $3,945 | $11,598 | 30 |
| 81 | Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL · Public | $14,109 72% of the leader · rank #81 | $13,709 | $14,600 | $43,801 | 5,504 |
| 82 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public | $14,355 71% of the leader · rank #82 | $2,038 | $19,500 | $64,802 | 56,563 |
| 83 | Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute Skokie, IL · Private for-profit | $14,488 71% of the leader · rank #83 | $14,488 | $7,136 | $21,402 | 121 |
| 84 | Larry's Barber College-Joliet Joliet, IL · Private for-profit | $14,685 71% of the leader · rank #84 | $14,186 | $3,945 | $11,598 | 22 |
| 85 | Networks Barber College Calumet City, IL · Private for-profit | $14,810 70% of the leader · rank #85 | $14,810 | $16,500 | $14,460 | 50 |
| 86 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $14,860 70% of the leader · rank #86 | Aid covers full cost | $15,000 | $80,870 | 18,339 |
| 87 | Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL · Public | $14,889 70% of the leader · rank #87 | $8,483 | $20,500 | $46,384 | 12,045 |
| 88 | Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills Vernon Hills, IL · Private for-profit | $14,906 70% of the leader · rank #88 | $14,510 | $13,583 | $20,172 | 57 |
| 89 | Hair Professionals Career College Palos Hills, IL · Private for-profit | $15,405 69% of the leader · rank #89 | $12,615 | $9,500 | $22,518 | 80 |
| 90 | University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts Springfield, IL · Private for-profit | $16,000 68% of the leader · rank #90 | $14,827 | $4,584 | $24,853 | 165 |
| 91 | Capri Beauty College New Lenox, IL · Private for-profit | $16,577 67% of the leader · rank #91 | $16,577 | $9,833 | $19,302 | 84 |
| 92 | Cosmetology & Spa Academy Crystal Lake, IL · Private for-profit | $16,708 66% of the leader · rank #92 | $15,876 | $7,917 | $25,231 | 377 |
| 93 | Empire Beauty School-Stone Park Stone Park, IL · Private for-profit | $16,751 66% of the leader · rank #93 | $16,624 | $13,583 | $20,172 | 118 |
| 94 | Capital Area Career Center Springfield, IL · Public | $16,797 66% of the leader · rank #94 | - | $9,500 | $50,684 | 115 |
| 95 | North Park University Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $16,948 66% of the leader · rank #95 | $14,845 | $25,500 | $49,326 | 2,624 |
| 96 | Lewis University Romeoville, IL · Private nonprofit | $17,028 66% of the leader · rank #96 | $10,382 | $21,500 | $56,095 | 6,636 |
| 97 | Monmouth College Monmouth, IL · Private nonprofit | $17,133 66% of the leader · rank #97 | $12,483 | $27,000 | $43,158 | 727 |
| 98 | University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $17,185 65% of the leader · rank #98 | $16,592 | $7,917 | $32,570 | 62 |
| 99 | Eureka College Eureka, IL · Private nonprofit | $17,349 65% of the leader · rank #99 | $13,711 | $23,250 | $42,968 | 527 |
| 100 | Phipps Academy of Barbering Richton Park, IL · Private for-profit | $17,509 65% of the leader · rank #100 | $17,509 | $9,500 | - | 26 |
| 101 | The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Downers Grove, IL · Private for-profit | $17,688 64% of the leader · rank #101 | $16,112 | $7,917 | $23,615 | 60 |
| 102 | John Amico School of Hair Design Oak Forest, IL · Private for-profit | $18,035 64% of the leader · rank #102 | $15,915 | $7,917 | $18,682 | 175 |
| 103 | Illinois College Jacksonville, IL · Private nonprofit | $18,298 63% of the leader · rank #103 | $12,487 | $25,565 | $40,110 | 958 |
| 104 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $18,425 63% of the leader · rank #104 | $12,964 | $25,000 | $70,803 | 8,563 |
| 105 | Concordia University-Chicago River Forest, IL · Private nonprofit | $18,436 63% of the leader · rank #105 | $16,795 | $23,000 | $44,405 | 5,066 |
| 106 | Blackburn College Carlinville, IL · Private nonprofit | $18,460 63% of the leader · rank #106 | $16,838 | $24,242 | $36,665 | 389 |
| 107 | Judson University Elgin, IL · Private nonprofit | $18,558 63% of the leader · rank #107 | $15,701 | $25,000 | $45,374 | 1,058 |
| 108 | Aurora University Aurora, IL · Private nonprofit | $18,838 62% of the leader · rank #108 | $14,525 | $20,318 | $51,237 | 5,935 |
| 109 | Generations College Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $18,894 62% of the leader · rank #109 | $18,723 | $25,250 | $31,406 | 317 |
| 110 | Hair Professionals School of Cosmetology Oswego, IL · Private for-profit | $19,050 62% of the leader · rank #110 | $16,703 | $9,833 | $22,166 | 121 |
| 111 | Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL · Private nonprofit | $19,125 62% of the leader · rank #111 | $12,891 | $25,009 | $48,107 | 883 |
| 112 | Hair Professionals Career College Sycamore, IL · Private for-profit | $19,133 62% of the leader · rank #112 | $17,775 | $9,833 | $20,915 | 65 |
| 113 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NE Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $19,279 61% of the leader · rank #113 | $19,346 | $7,307 | $23,925 | 135 |
| 114 | Illinois State University Normal, IL · Public | $19,398 61% of the leader · rank #114 | $11,568 | $20,482 | $50,599 | 20,989 |
| 115 | Greenville University Greenville, IL · Private nonprofit | $19,533 61% of the leader · rank #115 | $19,181 | $23,875 | $40,307 | 1,053 |
| 116 | VanderCook College of Music Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $19,780 60% of the leader · rank #116 | $16,308 | $27,000 | $45,704 | 340 |
| 117 | Rasmussen University-Illinois Rockford, IL · Private for-profit | $19,854 60% of the leader · rank #117 | $19,000 | $20,899 | $41,436 | 1,332 |
| 118 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview Bridgeview, IL · Private for-profit | $19,980 60% of the leader · rank #118 | $19,759 | $7,307 | $23,411 | 438 |
| 119 | Reflections Academy of Beauty Decatur, IL · Private for-profit | $20,082 60% of the leader · rank #119 | $20,082 | $16,500 | - | 29 |
| 120 | Roosevelt University Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $20,194 59% of the leader · rank #120 | $18,018 | $22,000 | $42,896 | 4,015 |
| 121 | Quincy University Quincy, IL · Private nonprofit | $20,359 59% of the leader · rank #121 | $16,502 | $24,000 | $43,331 | 1,280 |
| 122 | HVAC Technical Institute Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $20,403 59% of the leader · rank #122 | $19,187 | $6,851 | - | 216 |
| 123 | Midwestern Career College Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $20,462 59% of the leader · rank #123 | $20,299 | $7,521 | $33,475 | 824 |
| 124 | First Institute of Travel, Inc. Crystal Lake, IL · Private for-profit | $20,528 59% of the leader · rank #124 | $20,354 | $9,500 | $34,254 | 274 |
| 125 | Morrison Institute of Technology Morrison, IL · Private nonprofit | $20,639 59% of the leader · rank #125 | $12,574 | $12,000 | $46,238 | 54 |
| 126 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Rockford Rockford, IL · Private for-profit | $20,655 59% of the leader · rank #126 | $18,081 | $7,307 | $18,996 | 173 |
| 127 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin Elgin, IL · Private for-profit | $20,671 58% of the leader · rank #127 | $19,390 | $7,307 | $27,052 | 154 |
| 128 | Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL · Private nonprofit | $20,729 58% of the leader · rank #128 | $17,232 | $25,000 | $49,278 | 3,275 |
| 129 | North Central College Naperville, IL · Private nonprofit | $21,044 58% of the leader · rank #129 | $12,507 | $24,500 | $51,762 | 2,856 |
| 130 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Normal Normal, IL · Private for-profit | $21,050 58% of the leader · rank #130 | $20,978 | $7,307 | $19,172 | 92 |
| 131 | Graham Hospital School of Nursing Canton, IL · Private nonprofit | $21,228 57% of the leader · rank #131 | $22,832 | - | $58,704 | 36 |
| 132 | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College Rockford, IL · Private for-profit | $21,601 57% of the leader · rank #132 | $20,472 | $14,302 | $28,575 | 733 |
| 133 | East-West University Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $21,697 56% of the leader · rank #133 | $19,168 | $26,986 | $21,236 | 528 |
| 134 | G Skin & Beauty Institute Schaumburg, IL · Private for-profit | $21,847 56% of the leader · rank #134 | $21,287 | $6,333 | $29,752 | 494 |
| 135 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $21,856 56% of the leader · rank #135 | $21,530 | $7,307 | $26,325 | 206 |
| 136 | Cosmetology Concepts Niles Niles, IL · Private for-profit | $21,916 56% of the leader · rank #136 | $21,758 | - | $25,473 | 55 |
| 137 | Universal Spa Training Academy Downers Grove, IL · Private for-profit | $21,965 56% of the leader · rank #137 | $19,072 | $7,283 | $23,567 | 144 |
| 138 | Millikin University Decatur, IL · Private nonprofit | $21,989 56% of the leader · rank #138 | $18,659 | $27,000 | $43,100 | 1,659 |
| 139 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville Libertyville, IL · Private for-profit | $22,123 56% of the leader · rank #139 | $21,879 | $7,307 | $27,052 | 193 |
| 140 | ETI School of Skilled Trades Willowbrook, IL · Private for-profit | $22,126 56% of the leader · rank #140 | $21,953 | $9,500 | $43,093 | 363 |
| 141 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $22,221 55% of the leader · rank #141 | $21,293 | $18,149 | $40,210 | 2,216 |
| 142 | Benedictine University Lisle, IL · Private nonprofit | $22,313 55% of the leader · rank #142 | $20,168 | $22,500 | $50,222 | 2,989 |
| 143 | Rockford University Rockford, IL · Private nonprofit | $22,436 55% of the leader · rank #143 | $20,877 | $22,274 | $45,847 | 1,249 |
| 144 | Bradley University Peoria, IL · Private nonprofit | $22,719 54% of the leader · rank #144 | $17,269 | $27,000 | $59,114 | 5,217 |
| 145 | Augustana College Rock Island, IL · Private nonprofit | $22,736 54% of the leader · rank #145 | $15,787 | $27,000 | $49,849 | 2,484 |
| 146 | Paul Mitchell the School-Tinley Park Bourbonnais, IL · Private for-profit | $22,862 54% of the leader · rank #146 | $22,862 | $7,917 | $19,886 | 253 |
| 147 | Paul Mitchell the School-Chicago Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $23,324 53% of the leader · rank #147 | $22,811 | $13,598 | $21,694 | 145 |
| 148 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Peoria Peoria, IL · Private for-profit | $23,433 53% of the leader · rank #148 | $22,965 | $7,307 | $19,172 | 137 |
| 149 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL · Private nonprofit | $24,185 51% of the leader · rank #149 | $17,892 | $20,489 | $52,803 | 3,906 |
| 150 | G Skin & Beauty Institute Oakbrook, IL · Private for-profit | $24,194 51% of the leader · rank #150 | $22,443 | $7,917 | $29,438 | 436 |
| 151 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale Heights Glendale Heights, IL · Private for-profit | $24,384 51% of the leader · rank #151 | $22,388 | $7,307 | $23,925 | 148 |
| 152 | Knox College Galesburg, IL · Private nonprofit | $24,595 51% of the leader · rank #152 | $17,134 | $27,000 | $37,757 | 1,001 |
| 153 | McKendree University Lebanon, IL · Private nonprofit | $24,717 50% of the leader · rank #153 | $21,928 | $23,250 | $49,439 | 2,075 |
| 154 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture Danville, IL · Private for-profit | $25,061 50% of the leader · rank #154 | $24,046 | $9,000 | $14,697 | 171 |
| 155 | Career Center of Southern Illinois Red Bud, IL · Public | $25,204 49% of the leader · rank #155 | $25,157 | $15,170 | $49,095 | 48 |
| 156 | Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park Melrose Park, IL · Private for-profit | $25,598 49% of the leader · rank #156 | $24,854 | $11,250 | $36,485 | 1,345 |
| 157 | Stellar Career College Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $25,959 48% of the leader · rank #157 | $25,959 | $4,834 | $36,539 | 78 |
| 158 | State Career College Gurnee, IL · Private for-profit | $26,376 47% of the leader · rank #158 | $26,376 | $9,500 | $26,829 | 140 |
| 159 | Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $26,435 47% of the leader · rank #159 | $26,042 | $9,500 | $31,958 | 48 |
| 160 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $26,598 47% of the leader · rank #160 | $20,924 | $25,000 | $32,596 | 6,529 |
| 161 | Worsham College of Mortuary Science Wheeling, IL · Private for-profit | $26,781 46% of the leader · rank #161 | $26,162 | $15,024 | $58,834 | 187 |
| 162 | Hebrew Theological College Skokie, IL · Private nonprofit | $26,861 46% of the leader · rank #162 | $21,396 | $14,000 | $32,793 | 197 |
| 163 | Wheaton College Wheaton, IL · Private nonprofit | $26,975 46% of the leader · rank #163 | $20,001 | $23,250 | $50,270 | 2,799 |
| 164 | Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc Lisle, IL · Private for-profit | $27,060 46% of the leader · rank #164 | $24,080 | $13,124 | $47,320 | 1,230 |
| 165 | Illinois Media School Chicagp, IL · Private for-profit | $27,238 45% of the leader · rank #165 | $26,604 | $9,500 | $31,958 | 36 |
| 166 | Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $27,347 45% of the leader · rank #166 | $26,015 | $31,301 | $42,860 | 221 |
| 167 | Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois Springfield, IL · Private for-profit | $27,793 44% of the leader · rank #167 | $27,294 | $9,500 | $30,633 | 1,128 |
| 168 | Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL · Private nonprofit | $28,199 43% of the leader · rank #168 | $17,732 | $27,000 | $56,082 | 1,576 |
| 169 | Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL · Private nonprofit | $28,673 42% of the leader · rank #169 | $19,605 | $26,158 | $51,324 | 1,818 |
| 170 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit | $29,167 41% of the leader · rank #170 | $1,764 | $15,000 | $76,844 | 23,203 |
| 171 | DeVry University-Illinois Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $30,770 38% of the leader · rank #171 | $30,231 | $24,807 | $42,178 | 29,346 |
| 172 | MDT College of Health Sciences Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $30,833 38% of the leader · rank #172 | $30,638 | $19,500 | $40,181 | 335 |
| 173 | DePaul University Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $30,902 38% of the leader · rank #173 | $27,359 | $23,168 | $54,695 | 21,348 |
| 174 | Chamberlain University-Illinois Addison, IL · Private for-profit | $31,837 36% of the leader · rank #174 | $30,013 | $20,919 | $84,533 | 28,897 |
| 175 | Aveda Institute-Chicago Chicago, IL · Private for-profit | $33,008 34% of the leader · rank #175 | $29,779 | $7,917 | $21,460 | 99 |
| 176 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $36,079 28% of the leader · rank #176 | $28,992 | $24,157 | $58,411 | 17,397 |
| 177 | Methodist College Peoria, IL · Private nonprofit | $41,787 16% of the leader · rank #177 | - | $31,250 | $64,709 | 391 |
| 178 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit | $49,790 4% of the leader · rank #178 | $43,798 | $27,000 | $26,742 | 3,401 |
What this means for you
Use Illinois's ranking as a starting point, real net price depends on your specific financial-aid package.
- Joliet Junior College reports the lowest average net price in Illinois, but "average" blends every income bracket, check your bracket's figure before assuming it applies to you. View Joliet Junior College
- See your specific school's in-state cost rank and nearest-price peers. My School Profile
- Compare campus safety alongside cost before deciding. Illinois safety
Figures reflect the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23 release.
Average net price = the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, excluding loans. Only schools with a reported average net price in the DOE College Scorecard dataset are ranked. Schools with fewer than 10 net-price-reporting institutions in a state or territory are not given a dedicated ranking page.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23
Every figure on PlainCampus is rendered directly from federal Clery Act source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Every ranked figure on this page is queried directly from the DOE College Scorecard dataset at request time; no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
PlainCampus is for informational purposes only and does not constitute safety, security, legal, or enrollment advice; the data describes reported on-campus activity, it is not a complete picture of safety at any campus and cannot predict any individual student's experience. See our appropriate use guidance.