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Colleges / Illinois State University

Illinois State University

Normal, IL 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate86%

Illinois State University Tuition Information

In 2022, Illinois State University's tuition was $11,524 a year for in-state students and $23,048 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at Illinois State University is $23,048 per year.

Illinois State University meets 60% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Illinois State University full-time are awarded $14,604 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $31,307 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Illinois State University

Illinois State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,524 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For non-Illinois residents, out-of-state tuition is $23,048 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to verify your state's rules for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Illinois State University International Student Tuition

Illinois State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Illinois State University can expect to pay around $23,048 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Illinois State University:

•Illinois State University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Illinois State University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Illinois State University.

House and Food Costs at Illinois State University

Room and board at Illinois State University costs $11,584 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Illinois State University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Illinois State University

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Illinois State University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area may be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Illinois State University campus is located in a city in Illinois.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


The Full Cost of Attending Illinois State University


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Illinois State University.

How Much Does Illinois State University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Illinois State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $11,524
Out-of-State Tuition $23,048
Room and Board $11,584
Other expenses $3,422

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Illinois State University Financial Aid


The majority of Illinois State University undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 9,878 of the 18,114 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Illinois State University meets 60% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $14,604 a year. Around 64% of Illinois State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Illinois State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $31,307 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $21,400
Private Loans $35,797
Most Common Loans for Illinois State University Students
Federal Loans 63%
Private loans 18%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Illinois State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Illinois State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Illinois State University awarded 5,701 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $99.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $23.56 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Illinois State University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Illinois State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Illinois State University was $14,604 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Illinois State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $2,107
Net In-state, Off-campus $4,871
Out-of-State, On-Campus $28,235

What will attending Illinois State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Illinois State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Illinois State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Illinois State University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Illinois State University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Minority Students

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Illinois State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Illinois State University's endowment was $197 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.


Learn More About Illinois State University


To learn more about Illinois State University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

See what others say about Illinois State University in the College Confidential forums

Illinois State University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$27,893

In State

$39,417

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$11,524
$23,048
Fees
$3,955
$3,955
Housing
$11,584
$11,584
Books
$830
$830

Illinois State University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

35%

Average Financial Aid Package

$13,615

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

20,683

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

86%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$15,479

Out-of-State

$27,003

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Apr 1
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