Illinois Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Illinois College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Illinois institutions.
Top Illinois Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Public 4-yr | $17,572 | $37,310 | 36,500 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Public 4-yr | $14,264 | $31,218 | 23,000 |
| Illinois State University | Public 4-yr | $15,220 | $28,500 | 18,600 |
| Northern Illinois University | Public 4-yr | $13,850 | $13,850 | 11,900 |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Public 4-yr | $13,200 | $13,200 | 9,200 |
| Eastern Illinois University | Public 4-yr | $13,100 | $13,100 | 6,500 |
| Western Illinois University | Public 4-yr | $13,230 | $13,230 | 6,200 |
| University of Chicago | Private | $66,400 | $66,400 | 7,300 |
| Northwestern University | Private | $66,000 | $66,000 | 8,900 |
| DePaul University | Private | $46,250 | $46,250 | 14,500 |
| City Colleges of Chicago | Community | $4,200 | $11,300 | 61,000 |
Illinois State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Illinois MAP Grant
Monetary Award Program — need-based grant for IL residents at eligible IL institutions. One of the largest state grants in the country.
AIM HIGH
Merit-based grants administered by individual IL public universities to in-state students.
Illinois Minority Teachers Scholarship
Scholarship for minority IL residents pursuing teaching careers with commitment to teach in IL.
Illinois National Guard Grant
Tuition and fees at IL public colleges for active IL National Guard members.
Student Loan Options for Illinois Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Illinois have a state student loan program?
No. Illinois does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Illinois residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Illinois state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Illinois students and families.
How much does college cost in Illinois?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Illinois public four-year universities is about $14,100 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $28,800 on campus for Illinois residents and $40,500 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Illinois?
Illinois borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $38,200. Total outstanding federal student debt for Illinois residents is approximately $62.7 billion.
Does Illinois offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. The flagship program is the MAP Grant (up to $8,508 per year, need-based) — one of the largest state aid programs in the country. Other programs include AIM HIGH, the Minority Teachers Scholarship, Golden Apple Scholars, and the National Guard Grant.
Does Illinois have a state student loan program?
No. Illinois does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Illinois residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Illinois colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
IL community colleges average $4,200 per year. Eastern Illinois University is the lowest-priced four-year public at $13,100, followed by SIU Carbondale and Western Illinois. UIUC is the highest at $17,572.
What scholarships are available for Illinois residents?
Key awards include MAP Grant, AIM HIGH, Minority Teachers Scholarship, Golden Apple Scholars, and National Guard Grant. U of Chicago and Northwestern offer need-blind admission with substantial institutional aid.
Related Illinois Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Illinois public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- ISAC program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Claire Tak