6 Cheapest Community Colleges in Illinois

If the sky-high tuition fees for colleges scare you away from the thought of seeking higher education, you’re not alone. It’s a common concern for students today, often leading them to back away from pursuing college altogether.  

Luckily, community colleges in Illinois are affordable institutions that can help you chase your dreams without breaking the bank. We have done the legwork for you and rounded up a list of the cheapest community colleges in Illinois.

6 Cheapest Community Colleges in Illinois

Illinois has top-notch yet affordable schools so everyone can access higher education. These popular colleges open doors to a myriad of career opportunities soon after degree completion. Here’s a list of the six cheapest community colleges in Illinois to consider:

1. #1

   Southeastern Illinois College

   Harrisburg , IL

   #20 Best Online Associate Degrees in Illinois 2024

   Tuition + fees

   $6K

   Graduation

   42%

   Student body

   2K

   Career Outlook for degree at Southeastern Illinois College

   Cost of Degree: $6,240

   Starting Salary: $33,100

   Overview of Southeastern Illinois College

   • Financial Aid: Yes
   • Graduation Rate: 40%
   • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
   • Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
   • In-state tuition: $106.00 per credit hour
   • Out-of-state tuition: $180.00 per credit hour
   • Focus Areas: Art, Communication, Foreign Language, Literature, Music, and Philosophy.

   What Do We Love About Southeastern Illinois College? 

   Founded in 1960, Southeastern Illinois College offers various graduate and post-graduate programs. The college welcomes everyone, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, gender, or physical ability. At its core, the college aims to be the hub of education and culture within the community.

   • Southeastern Illinois College is great for students who: Prefer one-to-one interactions and a more personalized education experience. This is because SIC’s student-to-faculty ratio is only 11:1, lower than the state community average.
   • Southeastern Illinois College might not be the best fit for students who: Have specific career goals or interests, as their programs might be limited compared to larger universities.

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2. #2

   Moraine Valley Community College

   Palos Hills , IL

   #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Illinois 2024

   Tuition + fees

   $8K

   Graduation

   34%

   Student body

   17K

   Career Outlook for degree at Moraine Valley Community College

   Cost of Degree: $8,310

   Starting Salary: $38,200

   Overview of Moraine Valley Community College

   • Financial Aid: Yes
   • Graduation Rate: 29%
   • Student-to-faculty Ratio: 18:1
   • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
   • In-state tuition: $159 per credit hour
   • Out-of-state tuition: $410 per credit hour
   • Focus Areas: Business, Mass Communication, Political Sciences, General Studies, Information Technology, and Physical Sciences.

   What Do We Love About Moraine Valley Community College? 

   Moraine Valley Community College, founded in 1967, is a small institution in Palos Hills, Illinois. The college offers 130+ degree programs in various subject areas so students can pick their desired field of study. It focuses both on academics and co-curricular skills to offer a more well-rounded educational experience.

   • Moraine Valley Community College is great for students who: Want diverse educational opportunities, as the associate degrees and certifications at MVCC are quite expansive.
   • Moraine Valley Community College might not be the best fit for students who: Are seeking a more vibrant urban college experience.

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3. #3

   Illinois Valley Community College

   Oglesby , IL

   #15 Best Online Associate Degrees in Illinois 2024

   Tuition + fees

   $13K

   Graduation

   42%

   Student body

   4K

   Career Outlook for degree at Illinois Valley Community College

   Cost of Degree: $13,169

   Starting Salary: $34,400

   Overview of Illinois Valley Community College

   • Financial Aid: Yes
   • Graduation Rate: 41%
   • Student-to-faculty Ratio: 14:1
   • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
   • In-state tuition: $125.60 per credit hour
   • Out-of-state tuition: $489.62 per credit hour
   • Focus Areas: Business Administration, Business Management, Agricultural Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, and Dental Studies.

   What Do We Love About Illinois Valley Community College? 

   Founded in 1924, the Illinois Valley Community College thrives by providing students with affordable, superior-quality higher education and life-long learning. With a deep commitment to fostering personal and professional growth, IVCC stands out as the top choice for many. Its campus is located in a rural setting, with a total enrollment of 2,413.

   • Illinois Valley Community College is great for students who: Prefer smaller class sizes, as IVCC enforces a closer interaction with professors.
   • Illinois Valley Community College might not be the best fit for students who: Due to its relatively remote location, students may face challenges commuting from farther away.

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5. #4

   Black Hawk College

   Moline , IL

   #16 Best Online Associate Degrees in Illinois 2024

   Tuition + fees

   $8K

   Graduation

   38%

   Student body

   6K

   Career Outlook for degree at Black Hawk College

   Cost of Degree: $7,950

   Starting Salary: $32,800

   Overview of Black Hawk College

   • Financial Aid: Yes
   • Graduation Rate: 35%
   • Student-to-faculty Ratio: 17:1
   • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
   • In-state tuition: $16,085 (per nine-month academic year budget)
   • Out-of-state tuition:  $16,085 (per nine-month academic year budget)
   • Focus Areas: Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Trade, and Technical Studies.

   What Do We Love About Black Hawk College? 

   Black Hawk College, located in Moline, is a public college situated in the bustling city environment. It offers a semester-based academic year. The highest degree at BHC is an associate degree. With an open admissions policy, this college welcomes students from different backgrounds to facilitate the exchange of ideas and cultures.

   At Black Hawk College, students can earn degrees in 33 different fields.  

   • Black Hawk College is great for students who: Want to become life-long learners, as BHC has the resources and environment to offer a great educational future for folks.
   • Black Hawk Community College might not be the best fit for students who: 35% graduation rate indicates a tough academic journey at BHC.

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6. #5

   Highland Community College

   Freeport , IL

   Tuition + fees

   $7K

   Graduation

   49%

   Student body

   3K

   Career Outlook for degree at Highland Community College

   Cost of Degree: $6,904

   Starting Salary: $30,100

   Overview of Highland Community College  

   • Financial Aid: Yes
   • Graduation Rate: 37%
   • Student-to-faculty Ratio: 14:1
   • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
   • In-state tuition: $151 per credit hour
   • Out-of-state tuition: $252 per credit hour
   • Focus Areas: Accounting & Business, Speech Communication, Psychology, Sociology, Graphic Design, and Technical Studies.

   What Do We Love About Highland Community College?

   Established in 1962, Highland Community College offers associate degrees in various fields. While the campus is in Freeport, programs like Nursing are offered at other locations. The best part about HCC is its renowned basketball team that consistently ranks in the top 10 nationwide.

    

   • Highland Community College is great for students who: Prefer a campus life beyond academic networking, as HCC is known for its strong athletic program.
   • Highland Community College might not be the best fit for students who: Find commuting a challenge. The limited availability of certain courses at satellite locations might be inconvenient for some students.

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7. #6

   College of DuPage

   Glen Ellyn , IL

   #10 50 Best Community Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 Best Community Colleges in Illinois 2024 #8 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of English

   Tuition + fees

   $10K

   Graduation

   23%

   Student body

   36K

   Career Outlook for degree at College of DuPage

   Cost of Degree: $9,810

   Starting Salary: $41,500

   Overview of College of DuPage (COD)  

   • Financial Aid: Yes
   • Graduation Rate: 22%
   • Student-to-faculty Ratio: 19:1
   • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
   • In-state tuition: $144 per credit hour
   • Out-of-state tuition: $417 per credit hour
   • Focus Areas: Business & Information Technology, Education, Career & Technical, Culinary & Hospitality, Public Services, and Education.

   What Do We Love About College of DuPage? 

   The College of DuPage (COD) focuses on setting students up for success in transferring to a bachelor’s-completion program. They welcome students from diverse interests by offering various associate degree options. The COD Foundation Scholarships provide additional grants to students to make their degrees more affordable.

   • College of DuPage is great for students who: Wish to acquire practical skills, as COD offers certifications that potentially lead to direct employment.
   • College of DuPage might not be the best fit for students who: Out-of-state might not find it an ideal place due to higher tuition fees.  

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Related Questions

How many community colleges are in Illinois?

In Illinois, there are about 50 community colleges to choose from. Some might specialize in business, while others offer management, engineering, medical, and computer science-related academic programs to set you up for your desired career.

What is the average community college tuition in Illinois?

According to the Education Data Initiative, attending a community college in Illinois is a bit more pricey, especially for out-of-state students. Statistically speaking, the average cost of attending a community college in Illinois is $4,910 for in-state and $13,110 for out-of-state students.

What is the biggest community college in Illinois?

With over 22,000 students, the College of DuPage is the largest community college in Illinois. Due to its large campus size, students enjoy the bustling campus life equivalent to a four-year college. However, if you want a more focused learning experience, opting for a smaller setting can be a good option.

Conclusion

From specialized programs to broad academic offerings, community colleges in Illinois make sure there’s something for everyone. While you’re at it, make sure to consider factors like tuition fees, graduation rates, financial aid options, and student-to-faculty ratio before making the final decision!