Affordability
An education through one of our universities can be more affordable than you might imagine. Holding tuition costs down, guaranteed locked tuition for four years, scholarships, grants, tuition waivers and more demonstrate the U of I System's commitment to an affordable education. Our universities are consistently rated as "best value" schools among public institutions nationwide.
Fast Facts
- Annual U of I System financial aid has increased nearly 60% over the last decade.
- Almost 60% of our undergraduates pay less than full tuition and fees.
- 37% of undergraduate, in-state students have tuition and fees fully covered after aid and waivers.
- We have 21,000+ Pell Grant recipients annually across our three universities.
- Graduates of our universities have lower debt than the national average.
- A recent study found every $1 invested in a U of I System university education translates to $5 in students' future earnings.
See financial aid data
Programs & Initiatives
Across our system, we are developing and nurturing programs that make an education at a U of I System university an affordable choice.
Financial Aid Offices
Tuition & Fees
Tuition (or what a student pays to take classes) is set for each university based on a number of factors, including instructional costs, state appropriations, and the rate of inflation. Other things that contribute to the cost of tuition include residency, program of study and credit load. Mandatory fees vary for each university, and some programs have additional fees. For detailed information on tuition, fees and housing rates, see the Tuition Book.
Accessible Education
Access and affordability often go hand-in-hand. Learn more about our commitment to access, and about initiatives and programs that aim to put a world-class education within students' reach.