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Cheapest community colleges in Illinois

Community colleges in Illinois ranked by published in-state tuition, lowest first. Published tuition is the sticker price; the price you actually pay is typically much lower after federal Pell grants and state aid. Use this list as a starting point, then file the FAFSA to see your real cost.

  1. Waubonsee Community CollegeSugar Grove, IL$3,504
  2. Rock Valley CollegeRockford, IL$4,334
  3. Danville Area Community CollegeDanville, IL$4,440
  4. College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL$4,560
  5. City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington CollegeChicago, IL$4,590
  6. City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeChicago, IL$4,590
  7. John A Logan CollegeCarterville, IL$4,630
  8. South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland, IL$5,093
  9. Carl Sandburg CollegeGalesburg, IL$5,390
  10. Morton CollegeCicero, IL$5,502
  11. John Wood Community CollegeQuincy, IL$5,700
  12. Taylor Business InstituteChicago, IL$12,000
  13. Generations CollegeChicago, IL$12,700
  14. St. Augustine CollegeChicago, IL$13,688
  15. Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford, IL$14,078
  16. Fox CollegeTinley Park, IL$17,670
  17. Morrison Institute of TechnologyMorrison, IL$20,355
  18. Worsham College of Mortuary ScienceWheeling, IL$20,500

Reading the list

The figures above are the published in-state tuition rates each Illinois community college reports to the U.S. Department of Education. These are the rates posted to the institution's tuition schedule before any aid is applied. For most Illinois community-college students, federal Pell grants alone cover a substantial share of tuition, and state aid programs in Illinois often cover the remainder for residents who qualify. Out-of-state tuition is typically higher; check the individual college profile for both rates.

Tuition alone is not the right comparison for a complete cost picture. The College Scorecard also reports total annual cost of attendance — tuition plus required fees, books, room and board (if applicable), and other expenses — which is the more meaningful number when you are budgeting for a year of school. Each college's full profile lists cost of attendance alongside tuition. For students who can live at home and avoid room-and-board costs, the gap between tuition and cost of attendance shrinks substantially.

If your goal is the lowest possible total cost, the cheapest tuition isn't always the right pick. A slightly more expensive program with a higher transfer rate or stronger articulation agreement with a four-year university may produce a lower total degree cost overall, because lost credit on transfer can erase the savings of a low community-college tuition.