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Cheapest Economics Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

University of Illinois Springfield stands out among Illinois economics programs with a remarkably low net cost of $8,916, making quality education accessible in the state capital. This affordability gap proves significant when comparing public versus private options, as even generous financial aid brings private schools like Augustana College to $12,437 annually. Illinois economics graduates enter a job market where finance and manufacturing drive much of the economy, with Chicago serving as a major financial center offering opportunities from trading firms to corporate headquarters. The earnings potential varies considerably across programs, ranging from $30,771 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $54,817 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Students can leverage the state's MAP Grant program to further reduce costs at participating institutions. With graduation rates spanning from 16.8% to 84.9%, choosing the right program involves balancing immediate affordability with long-term career outcomes in Illinois's economy.
34
Programs
$8,916 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$50,590
Avg. Program Earnings
62.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

34 Economics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
2 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
3 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
4 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
5 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
6 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
7 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
8 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
9 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
10 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
11 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
12 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
13 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
14 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
15 $18,034 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
16 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
17 $18,967 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
18 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
19 $19,353 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
20 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
21 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
22 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
23 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
24 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
25 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
26 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
27 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
28 $24,875 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
29 $26,984 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
30 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
31 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
32 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
33 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
34 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Illinois Springfield the most affordable economics option?

UIS offers the lowest net cost at $8,916 annually while maintaining a solid 61.4% graduation rate. The school benefits from state funding that keeps tuition reasonable for Illinois residents. Located in the state capital, students gain access to government internships and policy-related economics opportunities. The 82% acceptance rate makes admission achievable for most qualified applicants.

How do graduation rates affect the value of different programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically across Illinois economics programs, from 16.8% at Northeastern Illinois University to 84.9% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Programs with higher completion rates often justify slightly higher costs through better student support and career services. Schools like Augustana College achieve 79.2% graduation rates, suggesting strong academic support despite higher tuition. Students should weigh completion likelihood against total program costs when making decisions.

Does the MAP Grant significantly reduce costs for economics students?

The MAP Grant can provide substantial savings for Illinois residents attending participating schools, particularly at private institutions where the grant amount is higher. Students from families earning less than $65,000 annually often qualify for the maximum award. The grant applies to tuition and mandatory fees at approved Illinois colleges and universities. Combined with federal aid, MAP grants can make private school economics programs competitive with public options.

What earning potential do Illinois economics graduates typically see?

Economics graduates from Illinois schools earn between $30,771 and $54,817 in early career salaries based on available data. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Dominican University graduates command the highest starting salaries around $54,000 annually. Northern Illinois University graduates earn $47,260 on average with manageable debt levels of $24,976. These earnings reflect opportunities in Chicago's financial sector and the state's manufacturing base.

Where do the best job opportunities exist for economics majors in Illinois?

Chicago dominates the Illinois job market for economics graduates, hosting major financial institutions, consulting firms, and corporate headquarters. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Board of Trade offer opportunities in commodities and derivatives trading. Manufacturing centers throughout the state need economists for operations research and supply chain analysis. Government positions in Springfield provide policy analysis roles for those interested in public sector economics.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.